HOOD RIVER, Ore. -- The investigation continued Saturday into the shooting death of a man who owned the Vagabond Lodge in Hood River.

Hood River County deputies said Jerry Cranmer, 54, was shot to death at about 9:20 p.m. Thursday. Investigators are treating Cranmer's death as a homicide and they have not ruled out a robbery.

Deputies said there was more than $300 missing from the back-up till at the motel.

Mary Gumm, a friend of the victim, said Cranmer was always popular among hotel guests and kept them returning to the Vagabond Lodge year after year.

"I didn’t want it to be true," Gumm said. "I just kept thinking there has to be some way that it's not true because Jerry has broad shoulders and he carries a lot of community and family responsibility."

Deputies and crime lab technicians finished processing the scene Friday night. They have released no other details about Cranmer's death, but they said they're continuing to interview motel guests.

Sheriff's deputies said it's the first homicide in Hood River County in more than one year. Hood River police and Oregon State Police have joined the sheriff's office in the investigation.

"Our hopes and prayers are that they have a successful investigation so that we have peace with the outcome," Gumm said.

Anyone with information is asked to call the sheriff's office at 541-386-2711.

Motel Owner Dies In Hood River Shooting