BRADENTON, Fla. — Investigators are searching for two suspects they believe are responsible for killing a 23-year-old man inside the Bradenton smoke shop he ran alongside his brother.
- Mohammed Hamed found dead inside shop
- Surveillance photos released of possible suspects
- Hamed remembered as intelligent, grounded person
Mohammed Hamed was working at the Green Galaxy Smoke & Vape Shop late Tuesday night when investigators say two armed intruders entered the store.
Just before 11 p.m., Hamed's brother called 911 to report that he could see Mohammed on the store's video surveillance system on the ground with two men armed with a gun standing near him.
Deputies rushed to the scene and found Hamed dead in the back room where he was known to sleep.
On Wednesday morning, the shop's "open" sign remained illuminated but the doors were locked. Throughout the day, friends stopped by with balloons, flowers, and notes for the family.
"I couldn't find a job and this man let me borrow some money so I could put gas in my car to drive for Uber," said Letitia Parker through tears. She stated that Mohammed often went by 'Mo' and was both kind and gentle.
"He stood for his religion as a Muslim," she said. "He was just an intelligent and grounded individual."
Investigators say the two suspects were armed with an SKS rifle with a bayonet.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Manatee County Sheriff's Office at (941) 747-3011.