Norman Alhout, 56, was shot dead during an armed robbery inside Johnny’s Food Market on the 1200 block of Maryland Avenue in Wilmington on August 9, 2011. Known in Browntown as Mr. Norman, he owned the store about a decade and was remembered as generous, often extending credit and treating customers like neighbors. He was working the register when two men entered around 6:53 p.m.; police said at least one was armed. A violent struggle ensued in front of customers and family members, and Alhout was shot once in the head and pronounced dead at the scene.

Witnesses reported the suspects fled eastbound on 5th Avenue from Maryland Avenue. They were described as Black males in dark clothing with dark hooded sweatshirts. It was unclear whether money was taken. The community left candles and notes outside the market and organized donations for his family after his death. No arrests or charges have been reported, and the case remains unsolved.

If anyone has information about who entered the store that evening or saw the two men fleeing, please share what is known.