On July 16, 2024, at about 3:30 p.m. 18-year-old George Peter Al Hawara was fatally shot while working alone at his family’s smoke shop, Smoke Hookah, at 1440 West Avenue I in Lancaster, California. Two male suspects entered the store, became involved in an altercation with Al Hawara, and one produced a firearm and shot him in the chest. The suspects then fled on foot. Emergency responders pronounced Al Hawara dead at the scene.

Al Hawara had recently graduated from high school and helped run the family business; his cousin Kristine Dabbas described him as a precious soul. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Homicide Bureau is investigating; no arrests have been announced and the suspects remain at large. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Department at (323) 890-5500 or Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS (8477) or lacrimestoppers.org.

Did anyone in the Lancaster area see the suspects or the two men leaving the shop that afternoon?