Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - Saleh Mohamed, the Cheektowaga man accused of murdering four people - including his wife and two young sons - during a June 1 rampage, is now facing seven felony indictments from an Erie County Grand Jury.
And before he appears in Erie County court on July 8, Judge Deborah Haendiges - on a request from Mohamed's court-appointed defense team of attorneys Sean Kelly and Kelly Kapperman - ordered the defendant to undergo a competency series of tests to see if he is able to stand trial.
At issue are language barriers as Mohamed, 29, is a Yemen native that may not have a full command of the English language or laws.
In court Monday afternoon was an interpreter to translate English to Arabic.
Mohamed made no comment during the 10-minute hearing, and Kelly entered a plea of not guilty on behalf of his client.
Mohamed is accused of shooting Black Rock convenience store clerk, 43-year-old Shukri Muthana, in the clerk's Grant Street store at approximately 2:30 p.m. with a 9mm pistol. One hour later, following a heated argument with his wife, 26-year-old Aasiha Abudllia, he then allegedly killed her and his two sons in the couple's Ellen Drive house.
All were shot with the 9mm pistol used in the earlier incident, police said.
The incident happened one day before Mohamed's 29th birthday.
"The people's Grand Jury is complete," said Justin Caldwell, Erie County assistant district attorney.
Mohamed is charged with three counts of murder in the first degree for allegedly shooting and killing his wife and two sons - aged 3-years-old and 4-years-old.
Mohamed was also charged with four counts of murder in the second degree for allegedly killing all four victims.
The murder in the first degree charges could see Mohamed, if found guilty, sentenced to life in prison with no parole.
The murder in the second degree charges comes with a 25 years-to-life prison sentence.
No bail was set for Mohamed, who remains in custody at the Erie County Holding Center.
A judge has ordered a competency hearing
A judge has ordered a competency hearing
