A man was sentenced for murder and robbery with a firearm in Central Florida, killing the victim for less than a hundred dollars.
Jurors recently returned their decision in the murder trial of 51-year-old Raied Shihadeh. After nearly three hours of deliberation, jurors convicted 26-year-old Alex Lopez of first-degree murder and robbery with a firearm. Judge Brian Welke condemned Lopez to life in prison with no hope of release.
“This ruthless, wannabe thug valued the victim’s life at less than a hundred dollars,” Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney Bill Gladson stated. “While this verdict, nor ANY amount of money, can’t bring the victim back, we hope his family finds comfort in knowing this killer won’t walk free again.”
On May 30, 2024, police from the Leesburg Police Department responded to the M & M Food Mart convenience store, which is located off Picciola Road in Leesburg, Florida, in Lake County. Law enforcement was notified of a robbery with a potential gunshot victim. When officials entered the establishment, they discovered Shihadeh lying on the ground behind the front counter. He suffered a gunshot wound to the abdomen and head. Emergency medical workers flew the sufferer to the hospital, where he died from his injuries.
Officers spoke with a witness on the scene, who stated that she had just entered the business and heard screaming coming from what sounded like a cellphone. When she looked behind the counter, she noticed the victim and his phone. Detectives determined that the victim was on a FaceTime call with his wife at the time of the event.
Surveillance footage from the company shows a face-covered male entering the establishment, brandishing a pistol, and shooting the victim. The mysterious, masked male then stole money from the register and a vape product before departing. During their investigation, officials distributed images of the suspect in a public bulletin, requesting information on the gunman.
A few days later, authorities got many tips that identified the shooter as Lopez, the defendant. Authorities attempted to reach Lopez but were unsuccessful, prompting the issuance of an arrest warrant. On June 26, 2024, police arrested the defendant at the Sunshine Inn motel in Kissimmee.
Assistant State Attorneys Ken Nunnelley and Rachel Jones successfully prosecuted the Central Florida case.
The State Attorney’s Office expressed gratitude to law enforcement professionals for their meticulous efforts in investigating this case, as well as the public’s aid in identifying and reporting the suspect.
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