Family, friends say goodbye to store owner killed in robbery
HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Police are on the hunt for a man who shot and killed the owner of a northwest Houston convenience store.
Friends and family crowded a mosque not far from the crime scene Monday to say goodbye to 51-year-old Zia Siddiqui.
"He was the best. He just kept the whole family together," said Arfeen Siddiqui, the victim's brother.
He tells Eyewitness News his brother was the youngest of seven siblings.
Zia Siddiqui was shot to death before 9pm Saturday inside the Raceway convenience store, which he owned in the 8500 block of FM 1960 west. Surveillance cameras captured video of the gunman. He pulled his gun on the clerk who ran to the back office. Siddiqui was there and during a struggle shots were fired. Siddiqui died at the scene.
Police say evidence indicates the suspect was hit by gunfire too. He ran and authorities are still searching for his whereabouts.
"He didn't have to kill him. He didn't get anything," said Arfeen Siddiqui.
Zia Siddiqui was born in Pakistan and came to the United States as a young man. He saved money, bought a small gas station and began adding to his businesses. Siddiqqui's family is in shock over the loss of a man they loved.
"He was living the American dream," said Sayed Hassan, his son-in-law. "He was awaiting the birth of his first grandchild. He was taken before he could ever see her."
Zia Siddiqui had told his wife he was going to his Raceway gas station to catch up on paperwork.
He never returned home.
The businessman owned two Raceway stations, one of them said to be the top-performing franchise in the chain.
Police describe the gunman only as a man in his 20's, wearing a red baseball cap and a hooded sweatshirt. If you recognize him or know anything about the murder you can contact Crime Stoppers at (713) 222-TIPS.
