Video of Flint Michigan Store Robbery; Clerk Was Killed

[kellyhound]

FLINT, Michigan -- Warrants were sworn out for four men Wednesday in the shooting death of a store clerk.

Geoffrey L. Lawson, 19, who police believe shot Monir G. Alyatim, 35, during a robbery Sept. 21 at Saba's Mini Mart, was charged with felony murder, armed robbery, conspiracy to commit armed robbery and possession of a firearm by a felon.

Deondra' T. Williams, 18, was charged with felony murder, armed robbery and conspiracy to commit armed robbery. Williams admitted to police that he had a shotgun in the store during the robbery and is seen on surveillance video with it.

Two other men, Tevin K. Williams, 17, and Cortez D. Bailey, 20, were charged with armed robbery and conspiracy to commit armed robbery.

They are expected to be arraigned later today.

An employee at Saba's, who declined to give his name, said he was relieved to hear people had been arrested. He said customers and employees have been sad since the shooting and he often finds himself calling other co-workers by Alyatim's name.

"Those guys, they killed someone innocent," he said. "I wish there was a death penalty."

Alyatim's death stunned the neighborhood around the market at Stewart Avenue and Dupont Street. Many said Alyatim, whom they called Mike, was well-liked and always willing to help anyone who needed it.

Alyatim's family could not be reached for comment.

In court Wednesday, Flint police Sgt. Jeff Fray said Tevin Williams told police he witnessed the three other men in the parking lot of Saba's planning to do a robbery.

His brother, Deondra' Williams said he was involved in the robbery and they had planned to rob Alyatim, who was known as Mike.

Lawson denied any involvement to police.

Surveillance video show who police believe is Lawson jumping on the counter and pointing a pistol at Alyatim over bullet-resistant glass before opening fire.

Both Lawson and Bailey were on probation at the time of their arrests for weapons charges. Bailey had been put on probation in 2006 for attempted carrying a concealed weapon.

Fray said he had been locked up shortly before the investigators discovered his involvement on a felony warrant.

Lawson was placed on three years probation in June for carrying a concealed weapon. Fray said as police were searching for him, he reported to his probation officer and was arrested.

The four men were arrested between Sunday and Tuesday.

It was unknown how much cash was taken in the robbery.

Since the shooting, seven people have been arrested in connection with the slaying.

Flint police arrested three other men Sept. 24 but released two of them two days later after it was determined the case required more investigation.

The third man arrested last week has not been charged in the case but was held on an unrelated probation violation.

Fray said those three are not believed to have been involved in the robbery or shooting.