Mohammed I. Maali, 33, known in his Chicago neighborhood as Omar, was killed during a robbery at his newly opened Michigan Dollar Plus on East 71st Street. On the afternoon of February 7, 2020, a group entered the store to commit a planned robbery; prosecutors say the encounter began about 1:45 p.m. One robber locked the front door while others stuffed merchandise into trash bags and one held Maali on the floor at gunpoint. Maali, who held a concealed carry license, drew a 9mm handgun and fired as the group fled through a rear door.

One of the robbers returned fire, striking Maali in the torso. He was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center and pronounced dead that evening; the autopsy confirmed a fatal gunshot wound and the death was ruled a homicide. Maali had wounded two assailants. Four suspects were arrested: Sammy Trice, 34, and Anthony Carter, 17, were charged with first-degree murder and armed robbery; two nephews, 13 and 15, were charged as juveniles with first-degree murder and armed robbery with a firearm. Investigators recovered a weapon and surveillance footage, and prosecutors said one suspect later admitted to planning and participating in the robbery; a fifth person was reported at large.

If anyone knew Maali, worked near Michigan Dollar Plus, or has information about the fifth person involved, please share what is known.