On the evening of March 22, 2023, Abdul Raouf, a 44-year-old convenience store clerk in Pittsburg, California, was fatally shot while on duty at the E-Z Stop Convenience Food store located on Power Avenue. The incident unfolded around 9:41 p.m., shortly after police had responded to reports of gunfire on Bruno Avenue, where suspects had fired shots into the air before fleeing the scene.
Investigations revealed that the suspects, identified as 37-year-old Gregory Rossignon and 34-year-old Jessica Russo, both from Pittsburg, were involved in the initial altercation on Bruno Avenue. Following this, they proceeded to the convenience store where Russo engaged in a disagreement with another store clerk. Subsequently, Rossignon entered the store and, without apparent reason, shot Abdul Raouf, who was not involved in the prior argument. Both suspects fled the scene immediately after the shooting.
In the days following the incident, law enforcement made significant progress in apprehending the individuals involved. On March 29, 2023, Jessica Russo was arrested at a residence in Antioch after a search warrant was executed. Another accomplice, 43-year-old Alan Agloro, was arrested at his home in Pittsburg for his alleged involvement in the case. The primary suspect, Gregory Rossignon, remained at large until April 5, 2023, when he was located in Modesto. After a prolonged standoff with police, Rossignon surrendered and was taken into custody.
The Contra Costa County District Attorney's Office subsequently charged Rossignon with multiple felonies, including murder with an enhancement for the intentional discharge of a weapon, discharging a firearm with gross negligence, dissuading a witness by force or threats, and possession of a firearm as a convicted felon. These charges reflect the severity of the crime and Rossignon's prior criminal history.
Abdul Raouf's tragic death marked Pittsburg's first homicide of 2023. In the wake of his passing, the community rallied to support his surviving family, including his wife and five children. A GoFundMe page was established to assist them during this difficult time, highlighting the community's solidarity and compassion in response to the senseless act of violence.
