Miami

Man Shot and Killed by Clerk After Alleged Altercation at NW Miami-Dade Convenience Store

What to Know

  • Officers arrived at the Bawa Food Market near NW 17th Avenue and 93rd Street around 1:30 a.m.
  • According to Miami-Dade Police, the victim and the store clerk got into an altercation inside the store with the clerk pulling out a weapon.

One person was shot and killed by a clerk after an altercation inside of a Northwest Miami-Dade convenience store early Wednesday morning.

Officers arrived at the Bawa Food Market near Northwest 17th Avenue and 93rd Street around 1:30 a.m. Chopper 6 was over the scene, where a yellow tarp could be seen over the victim’s body outside the store.

According to Miami-Dade Police, 58-year-old Willie Sabb and the store clerk got into an altercation inside the store with the clerk pulling out a firearm and firing multiple shots. Sabb died at the scene, while the clerk, 45-year-old Ghazi Salhout, was transported to police headquarters for questioning.

Salhout was later charged with second-degree murder. Police have not released any other details about the alleged altercation.

Sabb, a father of five who lost two sons due to gun violence, was known as "Peanut" in the neighborhood.

"He was a wonderful guy. We always got along, we never had a problem. We went to church together," friend Anna Miller said.

Joe Bawa, who owns the store, said he hired Salhot about a year ago.

"This was a total shock to me. We’ve been here for 15 years in his neighborhood. We’ve never had an altercation with any customers," Bawa said.

Bawa said he received a complaint about Salhot just two days ago.

"He didn’t wanna work, so every little thing maybe annoyed him, or did annoy him, or he wasn’t in the mood," Bawa said.

The store owner says they’ve been active in the community for over a decade and he’s adamant that the actions of his clerk does not reflect his store or what they stand for. Bawa also had a message for the family.

"We are here for you, and please accept my sincere apologies for one man’s stupid actions, and do not hold it on me," he said.

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