Ghassan K. Abuujeries, a 34-year-old male from Oak Lawn, Illinois, tragically lost his life on July 6, 2016, in Summit-argo, IL. He was fatally shot during a robbery at a Shell gas station where he worked. The incident occurred in the morning, and Abuujeries was pronounced dead at Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood later that day. The Cook County medical examiner's office confirmed his identity and the cause of death.
The crime was part of a larger spree that began with a
carjacking on the South Side of Chicago earlier that morning. Two suspects, described as a white or Hispanic male and a black male, were involved in the carjacking and subsequent robberies. The stolen vehicle, a silver Pontiac Grand Prix, was used in multiple armed robberies, including the one at the Shell gas station where Abuujeries was killed.
A 15-year-old boy was charged with aggravated vehicular hijacking and other related crimes. He was connected to the carjacking and the fatal shooting of Abuujeries. The boy shot a 27-year-old man during the carjacking, which led to the theft of the Pontiac Grand Prix. The suspects then used the stolen vehicle in a series of crimes, culminating in the fatal shooting at the gas station.
Manuel Gama, a 19-year-old male, was also charged in connection with the crime spree. He faced first-degree murder charges for the killing of Abuujeries. Gama was arrested following a standoff with police and was held without bail. The investigation involved multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Chicago Police, the FBI Violent Crimes Task Force, and the South Suburban Major Crimes Task Force.
The tragic death of Ghassan K. Abuujeries highlights the senseless violence that can arise from criminal activities. His loss was deeply felt by his colleagues and the community, as he was known for his dedication and hard work at the gas station and the liquor store next door.
