Displaying items by tag: Zakaeria Husein

A name now for the man Akron police shot and killed 21-year old Zak Husein during a pizza store robbery 18 months ago.

23-year old Shaquille Anderson of Lake Street faces aggravated murder, robbery and felony assault; those unrelated convictions include eight aggravated aggravated robbery counts from Akron and Barberton which earned him a three year term along with 18 years on a gun specification that would keep him behind bars until 2037.

Akron police said during a news conference Anderson caused the death of Husein with the help of an "unknown accomplice" who helped case the business before the robbery. Husein was shot and killed after handing over the money demanded in the robbery on December 8, 2016 at his family-owned Premium New York Style Pizza restaurant. Husein's brother Ammar was a witness to the shooting. The killer was wearing a Ninja-style outfit that covered his face.

In reaction to the news, Zac Hussein's brother, Amar, reflected on his brother's life, and the effect his story has had on others. "He was just another kid from Akron," but yet, "People who have never met him, were moved by all of this. It just goes to show you man, you don't have to be in the world's eye to help people. You don't have to accomplish great things, to accomplish great things," he said.

As an example, he pointed to food drives here in Akron where volunteers joined together in Zac's name, for charity, and against violence. "We packaged over 90 thousand meals in less than a year and a half, and fed 90 thousand children worldwide in his name."

As to how he feels about the man who is alleged to have killed his brother, Amar called him a coward, "It doesn't take a lot of strength to pull a trigger...what takes a lot of strength is to do what I do--get up every morning, eight, nine o'clock...sometimes you do get tired. It hurts. It hurts to get out of bed every day, and work all day. But you know what? It hurts worse to be behind bars."

 - - - 

(Akron Police Department) The Akron Police Department made an arrest in the December 7, 2015 robbery and shooting death of Zakeria "Zak" Hussein while he worked at his family's business, Premium New York Style Pizza, located at 380 East Glenwood Avenue.

Detectives charged  Shaquille Anderson, 23, of Lake Street in Akron with aggravated robbery, aggravated murder and felonious assault. While investigating a string of robberies with a gun in the Akron area, detectives received multiple tips. After following up on every tip, detectives were able to identify Shaquille Anderson as
the suspect involved in the homicide of Zak Hussein. Shaquille Anderson is currently incarcerated in the Mansfield Correctional Institution on unrelated charges. 

On December 7, 2016, Anderson pled guilty in Summit County Common Pleas Court to eight counts of aggravated robbery, six of the counts had gun specifications. He was sentenced to 21 years by Judge Joy Oldfield.

It's been more than three days since the shooting death of 21-year-old Zakaeria (Zak) Husein who was shot in the chest during a robbery at his brother's pizza shop in Akron.

Family and friends have used social media as an outlet to share stories and remember the University of Akron student as a kind individual who was devoted to his faith as a Muslim.

It was clear to see the impact he had on friends and family members. Hundreds attended a prayer service for Zak at the Islamic Center of Akron and Kent this week and his Facebook page is flooded with with messages, describing the young man as a thoughtful, kind, accepting and genuine individual who had a bright future ahead.

"Zak is one of, if not the, nicest guys I have ever met," said Amal Almahd, Zak's cousin and president of the Muslim Student Association at the University of Akron.

But in the midst of many positive comments, one specific remark stood out to Zak's cousin and Muslim Student Association (MSA) President Amal Almahd. She said the comment, attached to a picture of Zak, referenced the young man as a Muslim "waiting to be radicalized."

"It just hurt me so much to see that the person went and even took his picture to make such a hateful comment."

While the comment was hurtful, Almahd believes the memories shared of Zak's life has been able to counteract the verbal attacks targeting Muslims.

"Through Zak's actions, I think everyone could see that whatever hateful comments, or whatever Donald Trump and anyone is saying, is completely wrong," said Almahd. "If anything, he (Zak) really was the best example of a Muslim."

Zak was studying international business at UA and was an active member of MSA. He was shot and killed during a robbery at Premium New York Style Pizza on Glenwood Avenue Monday night.

Akron police released surveillance video of the robbery to help track down the gunman who was wearing all black and a mask. Husein can clearly be seen handing over the money to the robbery suspect. Originally , the suspect was described as a black male, but police later confirmed that they were not ruling out the possibility that the suspect was a woman.

Zak's family has offered a $50,000 reward for anyone with information that would lead to the conviction of the person responsible in the fatal shooting.

More than $3,000 has been raised in a GoFundMe account that has been set up to help Zak's family pay for funeral expenses.

Previous Coverage: 

VIDEO 21-Year-Old Shot, Killed In Akron