On the evening of June 13, 2020, a simmering feud culminated in the tragic death of 30-year-old Sharaz Hussain, a male resident of Sterling Heights, Michigan. The setting for the fatal encounter was The Barber Co., a local barbershop on Mound Road where Hussain was visiting with the owner and a friend. The night took a dark turn when David Kanouna, a 33-year-old from Sterling Heights with whom Hussain had a past dispute, arrived at the establishment.
Kanouna, reportedly agitated after being told the shop was closed, entered the barbershop and confronted Hussain. The conflict quickly escalated to gunfire, with Kanouna cornering Hussain in a small room and shooting him multiple times. Witnesses described a chaotic scene as bullets flew and casings scattered across the floor. An autopsy would later reveal that Hussain suffered multiple gunshot wounds to his head, neck, and torso. The dispute between the two men was said to have stemmed from a previous business dealing that had soured their relationship. Kanouna allegedly believed Hussain had cheated him out of a significant amount of money and referred to him as the 'devil' and a 'demon' to investigators.
Following the shooting, David Kanouna was arrested and faced charges of first-degree murder and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. During the legal proceedings, it was revealed that Kanouna had a history of mental health issues, including schizophrenia. Despite an initial intention by his defense to pursue an insanity plea, Kanouna ultimately pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of second-degree murder and felony firearm possession.
In June 2023, a judge sentenced Kanouna to a term of 22 and a half to 50 years in prison for the murder, with an additional two years to be served consecutively for the firearm charge. Macomb County Prosecutor Peter Lucido stated that while the conviction could not bring back the life lost, it was a measure to honor the victim's memory by ensuring the perpetrator faced significant consequences for his actions. The sentencing brought a legal conclusion to the case, leaving behind the profound loss of Sharaz Hussain.
