Skip to content

Robber, clerk fatally shoot each other in Chicago grocery

Nicholas Williams, 24, was attempting to rob the El Barakah Supermarket in South Shore when he was shot by 63-year-old clerk Ali Hassan of Berwyn. Williams returned fire and struck Hassan during the exchange. Both later died from their injuries.

Associated Press
Associated Press
2 min read
Robber, clerk fatally shoot each other in Chicago grocery
Nicholas Williams, 24, was attempting to rob the El Barakah Supermarket in South Shore when he was shot by 63-year-old clerk Ali Hassan of Berwyn. Williams returned fire and struck Hassan during the exchange. Both later died from their injuries.

CHICAGO (AP) — A robbery suspect and a grocery clerk fatally shot each other during an attempted holdup in the store, authorities said.

The shootings Friday evening inside the El Barakah Supermarket in Chicago's South Shore neighborhood killed would-be robber Nicholas Williams, 24, and 63-year-old clerk Ali Hassan of Berwyn, the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office said.

Williams entered the store around 6:20 p.m. and produced a handgun in an attempt to rob the store, but Hassan pulled a gun from his waistband and shot Williams in the chest, police said. Williams returned fire and shot Hassan in the chest and back.

Williams ran from the store but collapsed about a block away and died, police said.

Hassan, a Palestinian immigrant, was transported to University of Chicago Medical Center and was later pronounced dead.

Two other people in the store were not hurt, police said.


Subscribe to the Chicago Journal


The Chicago Journal needs your support.

At just $20/year, your subscription not only helps us grow, it helps maintain our commitment to independent publishing.

CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE

If you're already a subscriber and you'd like to send a tip to continue to support the Chicago Journal, which we would greatly appreciate, you can do so at the following link:

Send a tip to the Chicago Journal


Subscribe to the Chicago Journal

CrimeChicago NewsNews

Associated Press Twitter

News and content from The Associated Press, which has been covering the world's most important stories since 1846.


Related

Supreme Court upholds cash-free bail in Illinois, takes effect in September

Supreme Court Chief Justice Mary Jane Theis ordered that the halt on the law be lifted 60 days after Tuesday's opinion, on Sept. 18, 2023.

Supreme Court upholds cash-free bail in Illinois, takes effect in September

Mississippi River crests at Davenport, testing barriers

The peak was slightly lower than forecast but still high enough to test the region's flood defenses and to keep officials on guard. Many larger cities have flood walls but Davenport relies on temporary sand-filled barriers and allows the river to flood in riverfront parks.

Mississippi River crests at Davenport, testing barriers

`Multiple fatalities' on Illinois highway following crashes

The crashes occurred late in the morning and involved 40 to 60 passenger cars and multiple tractor-trailers, two of which caught fire, Illinois State Police Maj. Ryan Starrick said.

`Multiple fatalities' on Illinois highway following crashes