Hispanic-owned businesses in Montgomery, Alabama, are being “hounded” by criminals, city officials said this week after three people were killed in a shooting at a grocery store that officials say may be linked to a series of selective crimes.
To “those in our Latino and Hispanic communities… we see you, we hear you and we are not going to tolerate this,” Mayor Steven Reed said at a news conference Wednesday. “We are not going to defend the people.” being hunted because people think they are an easy target or easy prey. It’s easy to be the hunter. It’s different when they’re after you, and that’s what they’re doing to you right now.”
Community members say they are on edge after the fatal grocery store shooting and other crimes.
Police did not respond to requests to provide specific examples of other crimes targeting Hispanic businesses. But KeynoteUSA affiliate WFSA in Montgomery reported that an ice cream shop was robbed twice in two months, including a Memorial Day crime in which a robber took the wallets of a customer and an employee before shooting the floor. .
Last month, a person was shot after refusing to give money to robbers outside a Mexican restaurant, the station reported. The owner told the news outlet that this is not the first violent crime near the business, noting that a suspect once pulled a knife on his wife and fled with the cash register.
“We remain vigilant in the areas where these crimes are being committed, as some victims have been attacked more than once,” Acting Police Chief John Hall said in a statement Friday. “We are actively collaborating with our federal partners in these cases. Together, we are working to identify and apprehend those responsible.”
Officers are stepping up patrols near Latino businesses to thwart potential crimes, police said. Authorities said they are also working with the FBI and federal officials.
Police have not named any suspects or made any arrests in Tuesday night’s robbery and triple murder that killed Daniel Lopez, 20; his father and owner of the store, Romero López, 43 years old; and a client and friend of the Lopez family, George Elijah Jr., 50.
Daniel López and his father, Romero López. Maribel López, George Elijah Jr. and his wife, Claudia Cauthen. Claudia Cauthen
Maribel López, 31, was co-owner of the grocery store “Tienda Los Hermanos” with her older brother.
He said this week was the fifth time criminals have broken into or robbed his store since it opened in November 2021.
In May, someone broke into the supermarket after hours, took two cash registers and cut off the power, he said.
The deaths of his brother and nephew and the attacks on Hispanic businesses have unsettled residents.
“The community is very scared,” Lopez said. “They have robbed us like many times and they never did anything to solve the problems. Not just us, all Hispanics have been robbed so many times and no one has done anything about it.”
Mayor Reed said he understands their dissatisfaction.
“I understand why they feel that way. ….I feel like they are being targeted. “We believe that has also been the case and we believe we are narrowing down who is behind this,” she said.
Seeking ‘rigorous justice’
On Wednesday, the mayor said Latino businesses appear to be targeted because some don’t have access to bank or credit union accounts, meaning there’s more cash in store.
He and the police chief noted that while some may be hesitant to report crimes or unusual activities to police because of their immigration status, officials are only interested in solving these crimes.
“If they are victims… I have classified them as citizens of Montgomery. I don’t look at anything else,” Hall said.
He added that investigators are working with federal authorities to determine whether federal charges may be filed. They would be included in the Hobbs Act, “which prohibits theft or extortion, whether actual or attempted, affecting interstate or foreign commerce,” according to the United States Department of Justice.
“We’re going to pursue the strictest justice we can, and right now, that strictest justice is going to be on the federal side,” Hall said.
“They ruined my life”
The violence is personal for Mitchell “Holt” Elijah, 25, whose father was killed at the grocery store where he had been doing business with his friends for more than a year as a credit card processor, outfitting the Lopezes’ store. with machines that accept credit cards.
George Elijah was in the store buying carrots for the family’s two Labradors, and likely also chatting with the store’s owners and customers, when he was killed, his son said.
“They considered him family,” Holt Elijah said. “Many Hispanics from the community, from their families, came up to me and told me how sorry they were and how much they were going to miss him,” he said. “It was so eye-opening.”
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He said the violence that killed his father, who also owned a gold and silver business, was senseless.
“His biggest dream for me was to be respectful of others. … He wanted me to be respectful, truthful and successful,” Elijah said.
During their last phone conversation, which was about five hours before the fatal shooting, Elijah said he and his father said to each other, “I love you.”
George Elijah’s wife, Claudia Cauthen, 39, said she is struggling to cope with her husband’s death.
“I’m still very shocked, thinking that he will never walk through the door again,” she said. “They completely turned my life upside down. They ruined my life. “I really hope that one day we can take care of yours.”
Maribel Lopez, 31, who said her family is originally from Guatemala, described her older brother as jovial and someone who always tried to make people smile. Her nephew was more reserved and never bothered anyone, she said.
He said George Elijah was a regular customer of the store who had a penchant for buying avocados and adored his family.
“They loved the people,” he said. “I want justice for all three.”
He said his brother dreamed of opening more stores.
“They wanted to build some stores and do things for our community…He loves helping people.”
The business remained open Friday, but Lopez was unsure if her family would continue running the supermarket because they fear criminals could strike again.
“It is very difficult for someone to take away our dreams,” he said. “We deserve more.”
Antonio Planas
Helen Kwong contributed.
Keynote USA
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