Suspect sought in deadly shooting, attempted robbery at Joliet food mart
JOLIET, Ill. (WLS) -- There was an outpouring of grief Tuesday night at a candlelight vigil for a Joliet clerk killed in a store shootout. An armed robber was also killed, and police are searching for a second suspect involved in the attempted robbery that escalated into a deadly shooting.
Mohammad Eid, 24, was the owner's son at Gardner Food Mart. He was known to friends as "Mo" and was working to take over his family's convenience store in southwest suburban Joliet.
"It's a major loss. He was a good person. He looked out for everybody, and he was just an all-around good dude. He really never did anything to anybody, so it's just sad to see something like this happen right now," said Henry Martin, a store customer.
"I'd come in, and he'd say, "Hey, Mom, how are you doing?" He called me Mom," said Kim Stark, another store customer.
A few dozen people gathered Tuesday night at Gardner Food Mart to light candles, sing songs and offer tributes to Eid. Mourners said they plan to gather at Gardner Food Mart for another vigil on Wednesday at 4:30 p.m.
Police said two men walked into the store in the 1000-block of Gardner Street around 3:15 p.m. Monday and announced a robbery. There were two patrons inside the store during the attempted robbery, and another person in the back. One suspect pulled out a handgun and pointed it at the clerk.
Eid, a registered gun owner, returned fire. He fatally wounded one of the two suspects, Troy Norris, in the chest. Eid was struck in the left chest and thumb. He was transported to St. Joseph Hospital, where he later died.
Norris, 24, has been arrested by Joliet police 15 times for armed robbery, motor vehicle theft and other crimes.
"We have interviewed people that we believe took him to the hospital. We're not considering them suspects in the case just yet. But we're trying to take information in as we can to try to find out who the second suspect may have been that was with him during the robbery," Joliet Police Chief Brian Benton said.
Though investigators have surveillance video of the incident, both Norris and the other suspect - who is still at large - were wearing masks.
Officers have executed multiple warrants during their active search. They are looking for a man who is around 5 ft. 9 in. tall with a slim build, wearing a light-colored (either white or grey) hooded sweatshirt.
"We've heard of robberies where offenders come in and simply want the money and leave. We've also heard of robberies where they come in and shoot the clerk for no apparent reason. It's very unfortunate for both the victim and their family to have to go through something like this," Benton said.
A close friend, Justin Stark, said it wasn't Eid's first confrontation. Stark said about a year ago, Eid also drew his weapon during an attempted robbery, but that suspect was scared off.
"I told him, actually, 'Hey man, why don't you try and more security,' you know," Stark said.
Police are also looking into whether this case is connected to other armed robberies in Joliet. Anyone with information pertinent to the case should call (815) 724-3020.
