Claudia Rivero reports (Online Video)
Police say a homicide unit is trying to determine what led up to a deadly shooting and are still searching for the shooting suspect.
In the meantime, the victim's family, as well as members of the Somalia Association of Arizona, are in disbelief. They say the victim, Faisal Omar, was a father of eight children who came to the United States in search of the American dream and a safer life for himself and his family.
But instead, Omar a native of Somalia, lost his life in the parking lot of a Phoenix apartment complex.
"Our brother doesn't deserve it, to be here in a parking lot dead, and who shot him to be out there," said Mohamed Baraki, a cousin of the victim's.
According to police, the victim was in his mini-van and parked next to the suspect's car. The men reportedly began arguing and that's when the situation got out of hand.
"One vehicle rammed the other," said Sgt. Joel Tranter with Phoenix police. "We're not exactly sure how the sequence played out. Immediately after that, the suspect who was armed, we believe with a handgun at this point, fired a shot striking the victim killing him at the scene."
The suspect reportedly fled the scene of foot leaving his vehicle behind. Police say a moment later a second man showed up at the scene and drove off in the suspect's car.
"We have the suspect's vehicle," Tranter said. "We also have the person who was driving the vehicle. At this point we're not sure that (the man in custody) is the actual suspect or not."
Tranter is calling the person they have in custody and investigative lead.
The victim's sister was too upset to speak on camera but members of the Somalia Association of Arizona say they're stunned and devastated.
They say Omar was living in Columbus, Ohio but had recently moved to Arizona with hopes of becoming a cab driver and planned to eventually send for his wife and kids.
"Mr. Omar is a family man who was just trying his best to raise his kids in America," said Hakim Osman, Dir., Somali Assoc.
"Our brother doesn't deserve it," Baraki said. "We don't deserve it and we're asking anybody who's a witness, or who's seen something, to come forward."
The victim's wife, who is currently in Seattle, is expected to fly to Phoenix this weekend.
Police have a vague description of who they believe shot the victim. He is currently described as an African-American male in his mid-twenties. He's 6 feet 3 and wearing a white shirt with baby-blue pants (possibly sweatpants).
Anyone with information on this crime is asked to call Phoenix Police at 602-262-6151.
Source: azfamily.com, April 07, 2007