Hesham Kamel, a 52-year-old Egyptian immigrant, was fatally shot on August 3, 2017, in Cleveland, Ohio. Kamel had moved his entire family to the Cleveland area in 2012, seeking a safer environment and better educational opportunities for his children. He was a retired Egyptian military officer who had served for 33 years. On the day of his death, Kamel traveled from Lake County to Cleveland to meet individuals he had been communicating with on an online marketplace to trade his car.
Unfortunately, the meeting turned violent, and Kamel was shot twice by the suspects, who then fled with his car.
Despite being shot, Kamel managed to call his wife, Nahla Assad, and inform her of the incident. He was found by a resident of Macomb Avenue who had witnessed part of the incident and called for help. Emergency services transported Kamel to MetroHealth Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. The autopsy revealed that Kamel suffered two perforated gunshot wounds, one to his chest and another to his hand.
The investigation into Kamel's murder led to the arrest of several suspects. Dimitrius Macklin, along with codefendants Richard Lee Glass, Jr., Michael Butler, and Prophet Beverly, were charged with aggravated murder, murder, aggravated robbery, felonious assault, and having weapons while under disability. The case against Macklin and his codefendants involved forensic testing of Kamel's abandoned car, which revealed the DNA of multiple individuals. The investigation spanned over two years before charges were filed.
The family of Hesham Kamel has been vocal about their grief and desire for justice. They have urged anyone with information to come forward and assist the Cleveland Police Department and Crime Stoppers of Cuyahoga County in finding the perpetrators. Despite the arrests and ongoing legal proceedings, the family continues to seek closure and justice for Hesham Kamel's untimely death.
