Father of three shot after argument in store in Sterling Heights
George Hunter / The Detroit News
STERLING HEIGHTS -- A 7-Eleven clerk who was fatally shot by a customer early Thursday morning may have lost his life over a $1.16 taco.
Sterling Heights police say they have identified a prime suspect in the shooting as Kenyatta Khuru Davis, 35, of Shelby Township. "We are engaged in a manhunt," said Capt. Dave Vinson, acting Sterling Heights police chief.
Authorities said a videotape shows the suspect leaving the store, then coming back and shooting Utica resident Wajed Baig four times after an argument around 1 a.m. Thursday.
Store employee Lori Hipwell said she had heard that the dispute was over a "taquito" -- a small taco that 7-Eleven sells. Police acknowledged that Hipwell's version of events was correct, based on what eyewitnesses told them.
"It's a shame," Hipwell said. "Nobody should lose their life over something stupid like that."
Eric Smith, Macomb County prosecutor, said first-degree murder and felony firearm warrants were issued for Davis.
"He clearly showed premeditation because he left the 7-Eleven to get his gun then he came back and murdered this clerk," Smith said. "This clearly is not the kind of individual we want walking the streets. The cold-bloodedness of this murder over what amounts to a few dollars shows what kind of individual we're dealing with."
Sterling Heights authorities on Thursday declined to elaborate on the argument.
The clerk customers knew only as "Tony" was always ready with a kind word and a smile for customers in the store on Van Dyke near Utica.
"He was a really nice guy; he always greeted people with a smile," Hipwell said of Baig, a 47-year-old father of three sons. "He worked hard to support his family. He had a second job at Kohl's, and he came to 7-Eleven a year ago because he said he needed more hours than he was getting at his other job."
The murder -- the city's second this year -- has unnerved residents and others who work in Sterling Heights, which is considered one of the safest cities of its size in the United States.
"This is bad for Sterling Heights," said Dave Shaba, manager of a Smoker's Outlet store a few yards from the spot where Baig was killed. "To have this happen so close to home -- it's shocking. You always read about how Sterling Heights is one of the safest cities, but this shows that violence can happen anywhere. You can't escape it."
The store's surveillance video shows a man enter the store and argue with Baig, said police Lt. Robert Henigan.
"The man left the store, then returned a few minutes later, holding a handgun," Henigan said. "He shot the clerk multiple times, then walked out. He didn't run out -- he walked out. Then he got into the waiting vehicle and drove away."
There was another employee working at the 7-Eleven at the time, "but he was outside putting away the trash, so he didn't see anything," Henigan said.
Other customers entered the store and heard parts of the argument but left before the shooting, police said. Later, a customer came into the store and saw Baig slumped over behind the counter. "The customer called 911, and so did the other clerk when he returned to the store," Henigan said.
Police on Thursday interviewed a witness who saw part of the argument, Henigan said. "He said the suspect's vehicle was a burgundy Ford Freestyle, or another hybrid vehicle that's sort of a cross between a sport utility and a minivan."
Amanda Bindes, 16, lives a few blocks from the 7-Eleven store. She described herself as "Tony's best friend."
"Me and my friends would always go in there and talk to him," Bindes said. "He was always in a good mood. I don't know why someone would want to do this to him. It's messed up."
The other murder in Sterling Heights this year was in April.Anyone with information about Thursday's killing is asked to call Sterling Heights Police at (586) 446-2800.
Detroit News Staff Writer Steve Pardo contributed to this report. You can reach George Hunter at (586) 468-7396 or ghunter@detnews.com.
Correct me if I'm wrong, top ten worlds dangerous jobs, first place came deep sea crabbing, coal mining, Etc. Did being a convenience store clerk make it in the top 10? I know it ranked up there...
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7-Eleven clerk is killed over taco
