Clerk Charged In Deadly Shooting At NW Dade Market

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MIAMI (CBSMiami) - A father of five was shot and killed at a northwest Miami-Dade 24-hour market.

Willy Sabb, 58, was playing a slot machine at the Bawa Food Market, at 17th Avenue and 93rd Street, and he got into an argument with the clerk, 45-year-old Ghazi Salhout, when he tried to cash out, according to his daughter and other family members.

Sabb then went outside and was followed by Salhout. When their argument turned physical, Salhout pulled out a gun and started shooting at Sabb, according to the arrest report. Sabb turned to walk away and collapsed onto the pavement.

Salhout then shot him several more times as he lay face down on the ground, according to the police.

"He didn't even give him a chance, shot him down like a dog in the street," said Sabb's cousin who didn't want to give his name.

He said he rushed to the market when he heard his uncle had been shot. He found out what happened after speaking with several people who were there.

"My uncle tried to walk away, that's when the clerk pulled out the gun, shot him twice in the stomach, three times in the back when he tried to get to his car," he said. "He stood over him and shot over eight times more and shot him in the head, he emptied the whole entire clip on him."

"This was a total shock to me. We've been here for 15 years in this neighborhood, we have never had an altercation with any customers," said store owner Joe Bawa.

"We have mutual respect, never once did have we had a problem with Mr. Willy," he added.

After the shooting, Salhout called 911 and waited for the police to arrive. He told the officers he shot Sabb because he saw him reaching for his waistband and thought he had a gun.

Salhout has been charged with second-degree murder.

Sabb's family said he lost two sons to gun violence, one who was shot and killed a little more than six months ago.