Three men were shot and killed Tuesday night, June 4, 2024, at Tienda Los Hermanos, a grocery store in Montgomery, Alabama. The violence erupted around 8:55 p.m. on the 4100 block of Troy Highway, leading to a swift response from police and firefighters.
Police Maj. Saba Coleman reported that two men were pronounced dead at the scene. A third man, critically injured, was transported to a hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. The victims were identified as George Elijah Jr., 50, Daniel Lopez, 20, and Romero Lopez, 43.
The shooting is part of a disturbing trend of violence targeting Latino-owned businesses in Montgomery. Mayor Steven Reed, during a Wednesday news conference, emphasized the city’s commitment to using every resource to solve the crime and protect the community. “People working their jobs in their community, trying to make it day-to-day, week-to-week, should not be preyed upon,” Reed stated. He called on city council members to back a $6 million initiative aimed at reducing crime through a community intervention program in Montgomery.
Maribel Lopez, who identified herself as an owner of Tienda Los Hermanos, said her brother and nephew were among the dead. “I can’t think about anything right now,” she told the media. The store had been robbed or burglarized at least six times in the past, she revealed. “We need to speak up,” Lopez urged. “Everyone must raise their voices and inform the city that our community is here and that we need to support one another.”
City Councilman Oronde Mitchell, representing the area, said the shooting occurred during a robbery. He noted that Hispanic-owned businesses are often targeted because patrons are thought to use cash more frequently than debit cards or other electronic methods. Mitchell called for better trust-building measures and effective crime prevention strategies.
Acting Police Chief John Hall said the department is investigating possible links between this shooting and other recent crimes targeting Latino businesses. The police are reviewing video evidence and witness statements. They have also contacted the FBI for assistance, aiming for the “most stringent justice” on the federal level.
During the press conference, a representative from a Spanish-language radio station raised concerns about the police’s response time to calls from the Latino community. Hall assured that the city is working to improve response times and will investigate any ignored calls.
Bouquets of flowers and candles formed a makeshift memorial outside the grocery store as the community grappled with the loss. The incident highlights the necessity for thorough measures to tackle the underlying causes of such violence and safeguard vulnerable communities. In response, the police department has reassigned officers and established a special unit to concentrate on these robberies and violent crimes. A reward is available for information regarding the crime.