Said Saad, 47, ran Happy Way Tire Shop on East Ridge Road in Gary and had expanded his small business to include U-Haul rentals. He was known locally as a hardworking owner who helped neighbors and kept long hours, a familiar small-business presence in that part of Lake County.

On the afternoon of August 29, 2022, around 4:59 p.m., a passerby flagged down a Gary police officer after someone was seen shooting into a business. Officers found a 27-year-old Valparaiso man outside with a gunshot wound to his right leg; inside the shop they found Saad unresponsive and without a pulse. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Investigators said they believed the shooting occurred during a robbery attempt.

Police released a description of the gunman as a Black male about 5 feet 10 inches with a thin build, last seen fleeing in a dark-colored sedan. Authorities initially said no one was in custody and asked the public for tips.