Florida Jury Convicts Man After Wife Witnessed Store Clerk Husband’s Murder on FaceTime During Robbery

LEESBURG, FLORIDA — A Florida jury has found a 26-year-old man guilty of first-degree murder after prosecutors proved he fatally shot a convenience store clerk while the victim was on FaceTime with his wife, allowing her to witness his final moments in real time. The killing occurred during a robbery that yielded less than $100, authorities said.

The defendant, Alex Lopez, was convicted Wednesday in Lake County for the May 30, 2024, murder of 51-year-old Raied “Ray” Shihadeh at the M & M Food Mart in Leesburg, about 40 miles northwest of Orlando. Judge Brian Welke sentenced Lopez to life in prison without the possibility of parole following the verdict.

Wife Witnesses Final Moments Over FaceTime

Jurors heard harrowing testimony from Monique Shihadeh, who was on a FaceTime call with her husband when the robbery unfolded. According to courtroom accounts, she heard her husband plead “no, no” moments before a gunshot rang out.

“I kept asking him, ‘What is happening? What’s going on?’ He never responded,” she testified. “All of a sudden, I saw a blur pass across the screen and I screamed.”

Prosecutors said that blur was Lopez stepping over Shihadeh’s body to fire another shot as he lay on the floor. The graphic account left the courtroom silent as jurors absorbed the brutality of the attack.

Robbery Nets Less Than $100

Investigators said Lopez took less than $100 from the cash register along with a vape before fleeing the store. Despite the minimal haul, prosecutors emphasized the deliberate nature of the violence, arguing that Shihadeh posed no threat and complied before being shot.

A customer later entered the store, heard Monique Shihadeh screaming through the phone, and discovered Shihadeh wounded on the floor. The customer immediately called 911.

Victim Airlifted, Later Pronounced Dead

First responders rushed to the scene and found Raied Shihadeh suffering from gunshot wounds to the abdomen and head. He was airlifted to a hospital, where doctors pronounced him dead despite emergency treatment.

Shihadeh was a father of five, and family members told jurors he worked long hours to support his children. Prosecutors said the senseless killing devastated a family and a community over a robbery amount that would not even cover a typical grocery bill.

Suspect Identified Through Tips, Including From Cousin

Following the shooting, detectives released surveillance images of the suspect to the public. Tips quickly poured in, including one from Lopez’s cousin, who helped identify him to authorities.

Lopez evaded capture for several weeks before being arrested at a hotel in Kissimmee, police said. After his arrest, prosecutors built their case around surveillance footage, witness statements, and the chilling FaceTime testimony from the victim’s wife.

Prosecutors Condemn ‘Ruthless’ Killing

State Attorney Bill Gladson condemned the crime in a statement following the verdict, underscoring how little was gained from the violence.

“Less than a hundred dollars is what this ruthless, wanna be thug valued over the victim’s life,” Gladson said. “While this verdict, nor any amount of money, can’t bring the victim back, we hope his family finds comfort in knowing this killer won’t walk free again.”

Prosecutors argued the life sentence was necessary to reflect the gravity of the crime and to ensure public safety.

Life Sentence Without Parole

With the conviction, Lopez will spend the rest of his life in prison with no chance of parole. The verdict brings legal closure to a case marked by extraordinary trauma, particularly for the victim’s wife, who relived the murder in court.

Family members said nothing can undo the pain of losing Shihadeh, but they expressed gratitude that justice was served and that Lopez will never again threaten another family.

A Tragedy That Echoes Beyond the Courtroom

The case has reignited conversations in Central Florida about violent robberies, gun access, and the toll such crimes take on families and small business workers. Prosecutors said the evidence showed a calculated act of violence that unfolded in seconds but will haunt loved ones for a lifetime.

As the community mourns Raied “Ray” Shihadeh, officials urged anyone with information about violent crimes to come forward, emphasizing that swift tips can save lives and bring accountability.

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