$200,000 bail set for Detroit clerk who locked door before customers were shot

By AP News

A lawyer says Friday that a Detroit gas station clerk may have panicked but didn't commit a crime when three customers were shot on May 6

Gas Station Shooting

DETROIT (AP) — A Detroit gas station clerk may have panicked when he locked a door to stop a possible theft before a man shot three bystanders, but he didn't commit a crime, his lawyer said Friday.

A magistrate set bond at $200,000 for Al-Hassan Aiyash, 22, who is charged with involuntary manslaughter in the death of a customer. He is accused of being grossly negligent by locking the door when a man tried to leave the gas station with items worth less than $4.

A man was killed and two more were wounded on May 6. Samuel McCray, 27, has been charged with murder and other crimes.

Aiyash's attorney said it's “really not fair” to set a high bond while prosecutors present an uncommon legal theory.

“He was doing his job,” Jamil Khuja told the judge. "Did he panic and act inappropriately in a way? Maybe, but that’s the best they can argue here.”

McCray tried to leave the gas station without paying for items when an electronic purchase didn't work, according to police.

Aiyash, who was behind protective glass, remotely locked the door, keeping McCray and three bystanders inside during the dispute. He unlocked the door shortly before the shooting, but the others apparently didn't know it, the prosecutor's office said.

“People were begging to be let out,” Magistrate Malaika Ramsey-Heath said before setting bond.

Detroit police Chief James White said he would support a local ban on stores locking people inside.

"I see no logical reason a person needs to be locked inside for any reason without having the ability to get out,” White said.

IMPORTANT NOTICE AND DISCLAIMER

This article does not provide any financial advice and is not a recommendation to deal in any securities or product. Investments may fall in value and an investor may lose some or all of their investment. Past performance is not an indicator of future performance.

Originally published by Associated Press Valuethemarkets.com, Digitonic Ltd (and our owners, directors, officers, managers, employees, affiliates, agents and assigns) are not responsible for the content or accuracy of this article. The information included in this article is based solely on information provided by the company or companies mentioned above.

Sign up for Investing Intel Newsletter