On the night of November 30, 2019, a tragic event unfolded at the K Food Store on Midlothian Turnpike in Richmond, Virginia, ending the life of a young store clerk. Ashraf Mahasees, a 23-year-old male, was working when he was fatally shot. The incident was reported to the police at approximately 11:05 p.m. Upon their arrival, officers discovered Mahasees suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The investigation into the violent act suggested that robbery was the motive behind the crime.
Originally from Jordan, Mahasees was remembered by the community as a kind and friendly person who was well-liked by his customers. In the wake of his death, a memorial with candles and tributes was set up outside the convenience store where he was employed, a testament to the impact he had on those who knew him.
The investigation into the homicide led police to 19-year-old Deon Thomas of Richmond. Thomas was initially arrested on December 5, 2019, in connection with the robbery. However, in a turn of events, he was released from the Richmond Justice Center on January 23, 2020, before he could be served with a multi-jurisdictional grand jury indictment for murder.
Following his release, law enforcement, including the U.S. Marshals Regional Fugitive Task Force and the Richmond Police Department's K-9 Unit, launched a search for Thomas. He was considered armed and dangerous. On January 26, 2020, authorities located and apprehended him without incident, finding him hiding in a residence on the city's south side. The multi-jurisdictional grand jury had returned a true bill indicting Thomas for the murder of Ashraf Mahasees, and he was taken back into custody to face the charges against him.
