Man killed in party store armed robbery

In a matter of days, two Flint party stores have been targets of gun violence. Last weekend someone someone shot a 16 year old during an armed robbery at Dado’s Market on Saginaw Street.

And Wednesday night police say in an attempt to rob the Super Carpenter Market on Carpenter Road, someone shot and killed the 41-year-old owner.

As police are searching for those responsible, those who own party stores say they are starting to fear for their lives.

The name of the Flint Township man who was killed won’t been released until his family is notified, but many who own party stores in the Flint area knew him well and are worried they could be next.

“It’s just a struggle,” said Mounir Awad. “I got 200 calls this morning. We’ve got to do something. What can we do?”

Awad has managed several party stores in the Flint area for the last three decades.

He says he feels helpless, especially after the latest news that a man who use to work for him when he came to this country and someone he considered a friend had been killed.

“He’s got a heart of gold,” he said.

“Of course it’s scary. When you leave the house, you say goodbye to your children, you kiss them on the forehead, say, ’You guys have a good day in school,’ but you don’t know if you’re coming home or not.”

Awad says he’s done what he can. He put in bulletproof glass, installed surveillance cameras and even secured his store with steel.

Awad says his cameras have helped identify and lead to the arrest of criminals who have broken into his store, but says these days in Flint it’s not enough to deter the bad guys.

If you have any information about either incidents, call the Flint Police Department.