Mutalib Karim, a 76-year-old construction worker from Houston, died on December 12, 2021, after being shot while sitting in a truck in a convenience store parking lot on Telephone Road. He was in the vehicle with a coworker, 44-year-old Olvin Canales, when a 20-year-old man identified as Jovanny Villegas approached and demanded money. When the men could not produce cash quickly enough, the suspect fired into the truck, striking both men. Karim was pronounced dead at the scene; Canales was taken to a hospital with a gunshot wound.

Houston Police released surveillance images of Villegas and investigators later detained him. He admitted involvement and was charged with capital murder in the 176th State District Court. The incident was described as an attempted robbery that ended in Karim’s fatal shooting. Karim was remembered in coverage as a hardworking man preparing to start his day.

If anyone was in the area that morning or has information about the encounter in the Telephone Road parking lot, please share what you know.