On a cold February afternoon in Troy, Michigan, the life of 63-year-old Athir Putres was tragically cut short. It was Saturday, February 8, 2014, and Putres was working his shift as a clerk at the Clark gas station situated at the corner of Rochester and South Boulevard roads. In the early afternoon, a sequence of events unfolded that would leave a family grieving and a community in search of answers that remain elusive to this day.
Two teenagers entered the gas station to make a purchase, only to make a grim discovery. Behind the counter lay Athir Putres, the victim of a fatal gunshot wound to the head.
The investigation into the homicide began swiftly, with Troy police descending upon the scene. It was determined that two shots were fired inside the gas station between 1:20 p.m. and 1:30 p.m., with one of the bullets striking Putres. Investigators poured over surveillance footage from the gas station and surrounding businesses, hoping for a lead that would point them to the person responsible for this violent act. In the days that followed, police sought the public's help, urging anyone who was in the vicinity of the gas station to come forward with any information, no matter how insignificant it might seem.
Through the cooperation of witnesses, a composite sketch of a suspect was developed and released to the public. The man sought in connection with the murder was described as a Black male, between 40 and 50 years of age, standing approximately 5 feet 9 inches tall with a medium build and a mustache. At the time of the incident, he was reportedly seen at the rear of the gas station wearing a light gray, mid-thigh-length winter parka. Despite numerous tips from the public and the persistent efforts of law enforcement, the identity of the man in the sketch remains a mystery. Years have passed since the shooting, and the case of Athir Putres' murder has grown cold. No arrests have ever been made, and the suspect remains at large, leaving a void in the lives of those who knew and loved the father of three.
