In the winter of 2014, the life of a young Fort Wayne, Indiana, business owner was tragically cut short in a violent encounter that would later be meticulously pieced together by investigators. Moath Said-Saleh Nassir, a 21-year-old male of American Arab heritage, was attacked outside his convenience store, 'Big Al's,' on McKinnie Avenue on the night of December 29th.
The assault culminated in his shooting, and he succumbed to his injuries in the early hours of the following morning, marking the 16th homicide in Fort Wayne and Allen County that year.
Witnesses described a struggle between Nassir and another man in the moments leading up to the fatal shot. The investigation into the death of Moath Nassir soon focused on 26-year-old Sanchez 'Chaz' Williams. A critical piece of evidence that came to light was a bite mark left on Williams' arm, an injury inflicted by Nassir during their struggle. This bite mark proved to be a key element in identifying Williams as the primary suspect. Investigators learned that the injury was significant enough to prevent him from his routine of donating plasma, which, combined with tips from the public and statements from an acquaintance, solidified the case against him.
In April of 2015, the Fort Wayne Police Department, with the assistance of the Gang and Violent Crimes Unit, arrested Sanchez Williams. He was formally charged with Murder, Felony Murder, and Robbery. Williams, who had been released from prison on burglary charges not long before the incident, now faced a trial for his alleged actions on that December night.
The trial of Sanchez Williams brought forth the harrowing details of Moath Nassir's final moments. A surveillance video, presented to the jury, captured the brutal reality of the events that transpired in the parking lot of 'Big Al's.' The footage showed Williams beating Nassir for nearly four minutes before the fatal shot was fired. This compelling visual evidence, coupled with the testimony and other investigative findings, led to a guilty verdict. Sanchez Williams was convicted on all counts: murder, felony murder, and robbery. Following his conviction, he was sentenced to a term of 85 years in prison, bringing a measure of closure to the tragic and untimely death of Moath Said-Saleh Nassir.
