Armed Robber Killed in Shootout With Store Owner

Posted on: 3:56 pm, July 10, 2012, by updated on: 08:38am, July 11, 2012

CLEVELAND (FOX 8 News) — An attempted robbery took a tragic turn Tuesday, resulting in the death of the suspect and the store’s owner being injured.

According to Cleveland Police Sergeant Sammy Morris, Jonathan Ward, 23 entered Abe & Son’s convenience store at the corner of Cedar Avenue and 70th Street just before 2 p.m.

 An altercation erupted between Ward and the store’s owner, Jamal Suliaman, 35. During the fight, both men produced guns.

Sgt. Morris said the altercation, “Resulted in the suspect in the robbery being shot and the store owner being shot.”

Ward passed away at the scene while Suliaman was treated and released at MetroHealth Medical Center for a gunshot wound to his arm.

Police say this is not the first time a tragedy has occurred at the small store. In December 2008 two armed men entered the store wearing masks. They shot and killed another member of the family, Kamal Suliaman, 34.

“It’s sad,” said neighbor Monica Thomas.

The suspect in Tuesday’s botched armed robbery has a lengthy criminal record. Ward has had many prior run-ins with the law, with multiple charges for aggravated robbery, drug possession and carrying concealed weapons.

Family members arrived at the scene and sobbed while Ward’s remains were removed from the building.

Cleveland Police detectives are investigating the fatal shooting.

Stay with Fox 8 News for more details on this developing story as they become available.