82-year-old ‘beloved’ shop owner ‘Pops’ killed during armed robbery in Terrell
TERRELL, Texas - Terrell police said the 82-year-old owner of Mom & Pops GAS station was killed during an armed robbery at the store Friday night.
The robbery happened just before 11 p.m., at the store in the 400 block of Virginia Street.
Police were called to the scene after getting a 911 call about shots fired.
Officers who were already nearby heard the shots and started searching the area.
They found the suspect, 20-year-old Jamarco Ja Keith Blanton, and took him into custody.
Investigators said they were able to identify Blanton using surveillance video from the store, along with witnesses.
The Dallas man has been charged with capital murder in the death of the store owner, Fahed Fatayri - also known as Pops.
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All four people who were home at the time made it out safely but the family’s dog did not. The home was also a total loss.
Police said Pops was a "beloved and longstanding member of the Terrell community."
Mazen Fatayri’s father was known for giving back.
"We’re from a tight-knit family group, so coming to this U.S. for a better future gave us an opportunity to grow, getting to know people who are really down to Earth," Mazen Fatayri recalled. "Serving, getting involved with the community was important for my dad. It’s not just about work and making money, it’s about giving back to the community."
Mazen’s father was known for giving back.
"He always helped people and I was thankful for that," Mazen said. "He would make donations, if you run out of gas he would give you gas. If you didn’t have money to get something to eat, he would just let you have it. If somebody needed something, he would not be hesitant to basically be out there and help him."
When the 82-year-old was gunned down during an armed robbery, it devastated his family.
"Gun violence is one of those things we’re facing recently, and it’s actually here. I would say and I hope they do something about it because I just lost my father for something so senseless," Mazen added.
Mazen said his father did carry a gun because he worked side by side with his wife.