DETROIT (WWJ) -- A gas station attendant faces a charge of involuntary manslaughter following an incident in which he locked store doors to prevent an armed customer from leaving — trapping three bystanders with the agitated man, who opened fire, wounding two men and killing the other.
Al-Hassan Aiyash, 22, of Hamtramck, was formally charged and arrested on Thursday, nearly two weeks after alleged gunman Samuel Anthony McCray opened fire, killing Gregory Kelly, 37, or Detroit.
Authorities believe McCray attempted to make a purchase inside a Mobil gas station on West McNichols in the early hours of May 6. When his card declined the $4 charge, McCray started to walk away without paying.
At that point, Aiyash is said to have used the station's security system to lock the only exit from behind the counter. Three other men were in the store, unable to leave. One victim later said they pleaded with Aiyash to open the doors and let them out.
According to prosecutors, evidence shows that the clerk did eventually press the button that unlocked the exit, but failed to tell the three victims before McCray opened fire moments later.
All three men were injured, and Kelly's wounds proved fatal.
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McCray fled and was arrested by Detroit police the following day. He now faces a first-degree murder charge, along with one count of assault with intent and several counts of felony firearm.
In a news release from the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office, Kym Worthy announced that Aiyash would be charged as well, saying that the attendant caused Kelly's death "by committing a grossly negligent act," intentionally locking the only exit, making it impossible for the deceased to escape.
"The allegations of the defendant locking the door of the store and not heeding the pleas of the men to be released led to tragic consequences," Worthy said.
Aiyash was arrested Thursday evening and arraigned in 36th District Court Friday morning. Bond was set a $200,000 cash, with a GPS tether and home confinement if he is released.
A bond redetermination hearing was scheduled for May 23, and a probable cause conference was set for June 2.
WWJ Newradio 950 will have the latest updates as the case continues. >>LISTEN LIVE!
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