On the evening of November 21, 2018, the night before Thanksgiving, 67-year-old Ahmad 'Poppy' Alsaid, a male business owner, was fatally shot during an armed robbery at his convenience store in Niagara Falls, New York. For decades, Alsaid had been a beloved figure in the community, known for his kindness and the warm atmosphere of his Bridgeway Market on Niagara Street.
The tragic event unfolded at approximately 7:30 p.m.
when assailants entered the store in what police described as an attempted robbery. Alsaid was shot during the encounter and was rushed to Erie County Medical Center, where he succumbed to his injuries. The incident sent shockwaves through the Niagara Falls community, leaving many to mourn the loss of a man who was widely regarded as a neighborhood fixture.
Shortly after the shooting at the Bridgeway Market, another armed robbery was reported at a 7-Eleven on Buffalo Avenue at around 8:00 p.m. In that incident, two men armed with guns stole cash from the clerk. Police suspected that the two robberies were connected, deepening the sense of alarm in the city.
The investigation into Alsaid's murder led to the arrests of two suspects, Johnathan McEnnis and William Coleman. In May 2019, the two men were arraigned on a series of charges related to the violent crime spree that took place on the night of Alsaid's death. The indictment included two counts of second-degree murder, three counts of first-degree robbery, and two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon.
Following their trial, both McEnnis and Coleman were convicted for their roles in the murder of Ahmad Alsaid and the other robberies. The Niagara County District Attorney's office announced that both men were sentenced to 25 years to life in prison for the murder. In addition to the life sentences, they received consecutive sentences of 25 years for each of the armed robberies and an additional 15 years for a weapons charge, ensuring they would spend the remainder of their lives behind bars.
