Accident – Death – Obituary News : A St. Paul resident, Elias-Kareem Hany Aly, recently pleaded guilty to the second-degree unintentional murder of Abdullah Arif, a tobacco store worker. The fatal shooting took place on February 16, 2023, outside Union Tobacco on St. Paul’s West Side. Arif, a 48-year-old father of four from Stillwater, was tragically killed in the incident.
**The Incident**
According to reports, a confrontation arose at the store when employees asked Aly, accompanied by three other men, to remove a mask covering his face. As Aly was leaving, he pulled down a door chime, prompting Arif to step outside with a baseball bat. It was then that Aly shot Arif once while sitting in a Dodge Durango.
**Police Response**
The St. Paul police were alerted to the shooting at 3:34 p.m. and discovered Arif with a gunshot wound to his chest. Despite being rushed to Regions Hospital, Arif succumbed to his injuries. An autopsy revealed that the fatal bullet had pierced his heart and liver.
**Eyewitness Accounts**
Store employees provided statements to the authorities, detailing the events leading up to the tragic shooting. They mentioned that Aly, wearing a balaclava that covered most of his face, refused to remove the mask when asked by Arif. The employees explained that the store had a policy against concealing identities due to theft and security concerns.
**Surveillance Footage**
Surveillance footage captured the moments leading to the shooting. It showed Arif near the driver’s side of the SUV, with another employee on the passenger side. Despite not raising the baseball bat in a threatening manner, Arif was shot by Aly from inside the vehicle.
**Legal Proceedings**
Aly, who had been in custody at the Ramsey County jail on a $2.5 million bail, pleaded guilty to second-degree unintentional murder. As part of the plea deal, the intentional murder charge against Aly will be dropped at sentencing. Prosecutors are seeking a nearly 14-year prison term for Aly, within the state sentencing guidelines of 12 to 16½ years.
**Conclusion**
The tragic killing of Abdullah Arif has sent shockwaves through the St. Paul community. With Elias-Kareem Hany Aly now facing the consequences of his actions, the hope is that justice will be served for the victim and his grieving family. The sentencing hearing is scheduled for May 31 before Judge Mark Ireland..