Do you know who murdered Sleiman?
On April 17, 1996, Sleiman Hallak, a long-time business owner in San Diego, was murdered during a robbery at his store, the Moonlight Market, located at Skyline and Meadowbrook. Known affectionately in the community as "Pops," Hallak was working at the store counter when an armed man entered and demanded money. When Hallak did not comply quickly enough, the suspect shot him multiple times, killing him. The assailant then took cash from the register and stole a handgun from the store before fleeing. Hallak died on-site from his injuries, and the incident left the community grieving over the loss of a beloved figure.
The investigation into Hallak's death eventually led to the arrest of Charzel Shears. In a detailed police investigation, Shears was linked to the crime through witness testimony and physical evidence. Testimony from multiple sources indicated that Shears had boasted about his involvement in the robbery and murder. He admitted to planning the robbery, and it was found that he was in possession of the stolen handgun from the store. Witnesses described Shears' involvement, stating that he had acted as a lookout during the crime, and his actions in the aftermath, including attempting to dispose of one of the weapons used during the robbery by throwing it off a pier. In 2013, Shears was convicted and sentenced to three life terms for his role in Hallak's murder.
The case took years to solve, and it remained a cold case for over a decade until significant leads finally led to Shears' arrest. His conviction brought some closure to Hallak's family and the local community, but the brutality of the crime and the time it took to bring justice made it a particularly painful chapter for those involved. The community and authorities had offered a substantial reward during the investigation, hoping to encourage anyone with information to come forward and help bring the perpetrators to justice. Today, the Moonlight Market incident serves as a reminder of both the violence faced by small business owners and the resilience of the local community in seeking justice for one of their own.
