Akron police are looking for a suspect who shot a convenience store manager in the abdomen while trying to rob the store Sunday afternoon.
Just after 3 p.m., officers responded to Rocky’s Market on Fifth Avenue for a report of a robbery and shooting, according to an Akron police report.
The victim, 69-year-old Ali Matar, reported a man he didn't recognize entered the store and demanded money.
Matar opened the cash register and the gunman, who was wearing a hooded sweatshirt, went behind the counter.
"He asked me for the money and I told him, 'Okay, the money is over there in the cash register. Go take anything you want,'" Matar recalled.
But when customers came into the store, the gunman went back in front of the counter.
"He pulls the gun on the customer. I said, 'Hold on a second. Take the money and get out of here.'"
As the intruder walked out the door without any stolen money, he fired a shot. The bullet went into the side of Matar's right leg and came out of his abdomen.
He was treated at Summa Akron City Hospital with serious injuries and spoke with News 5 Tuesday afternoon from his home where he is recovering.
The suspect is described by police as an 18 to 29-year-old black male with a light complexion who was wearing a black hooded sweatshirt.
"He needs to to pay for what he did," Matar said.
Matar's son, Ashruf Matar, said he's grateful the bullet did not strike any major organs and he hopes the gunman is captured before someone else gets hurt.
"I'm sure in the end he'll get caught whether it's in this life or the next life. I'm not too worried about that. I'm just more concerned about my dad right now," he said.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Akron Police Department Detective Bureau at 330-375-2490, or 330-375-2TIP, the U.S. Marshals Service at 1-866-4-WANTED or the Summit County Crimestoppers Inc. at 330-434-COPS. Tipsters can also text TIPSCO with tips to 274637 (Crimes). Callers can remain anonymous.
Summit County Crimestoppers is offering a reward up to $5,000 for information that leads to the gunman.
