Chicago shooting: South Side store worker, father of 3 fatally shot during attempted robbery

CHICAGO (WLS) -- A South Side convenience store employee was shot and killed just after getting off from work on Tuesday evening, Chicago police said.

Police said the shooting happened in the alley of 300-block of East 79th Street, outside Half Moon Grocery, just after 10:15 p.m.

There was sadness, grief and outrage as Half Moon Grocery owner Rami Kanaan talked about the murder of 43-year-old Shadi Mohammad Suleimen Almomani, his longtime friend and employee.

"They just took my brother's life over what? Over money!" Kanaan said. "It's not worth it."

Almomani was killed as he left work during what police said was an attempted armed robbery.

Police said Almomani was sitting in his car, which was parked in the alley by the Grand Crossing store, when a man came up to him to rob him.

Investigators said the crime was captured by one of the store's security cameras. The store's owner described what the footage shows.

"He collected all his stuff, which is money and IDs and all. Then, when he started to defend himself, he shot him," Kanaan said.

Almomani was shot in the head and died at the scene. His attacker ran away.

Friends said Almomani had been a police officer in Jordan before coming to the United States last August.

He was working overnights at the store to provide a better life for his wife and three children back home.

On Wednesday, the store was dark amid continued pleas for justice.

"Somebody knows who this killer is," said 6th Ward Alderman William Hall. "Somebody's allowing this killer to sleep on their couch, their car, bedroom in their house. So, if anybody knows any information, turn them in immediately."

Area Two detectives are investigating. No one is in custody.

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