A security guard who fled Iraq because of the dangers there was shot and critically wounded Monday night at a Tampa apartment complex.
Detectives said that just after 10 p.m., Ammar Alnueimy, 49, spotted two men between buildings at the Royal Oaks Apartments on Hanna Avenue in the Town 'N Country area.
When Alnueimy told them they were trespassing and would have to leave, one of them pulled out a gun and fired multiple shots. A bullet struck Alnueimy's hand and went through his stomach, his wife, Sheryl Cerrato, said.
Alnueimy, who worked for Cuenca Security, was taken to an area hospital, where he is listed in critical condition and fighting an infection.
The bullet went through his liver and gallbladder and grazed a kidney before exiting his back. Doctors removed the gallbladder.
The man is in pain, struggling to breathe and trying to take his oxygen mask off, Cerrato said.
"He has a daughter, he has a son, he has a family," Cerrato told Bay News 9 through tears. "He’s out there helping these people; he isn’t hurting them. It took two cowards to pull a gun and shoot him."
Cerrato said she and Alnueimy are refugees who came to the United States in 2010 to start a new life. She said she believed she and her husband would be safe here.
"He comes from a country that was killing their people, and he gets hurt here?" she said. "He’s a very strong man, very good morals and principles and values."
Cerrato said Alnueimy takes his job seriously and protects the people of the complex like they are his own.
The two suspects ran off after the shooting. Detectives are searching for them.
"I pray to God that he (finds) justice, because nobody deserves what Ammar got," Cerrato said. "Nobody."