BUFFALO, N.Y. — Residents and business owners along Grant Street are mourning the loss of a well-known community member who was killed Monday as part of a series of fatal shootings that claimed four lives across Western New York.
Neighbors describe the 45-year-old victim, who worked at Aref’s Deli in Buffalo’s Black Rock neighborhood, as a generous and hardworking man who was always willing to help others. His identity has not yet been revealed.
“Yesterday was a very sad day for us, for all the community, for all of the Grant Street business owners,” said Ahmed Abdullah, owner of M and G Auto Sales. “We all cried. I know him very well, and I know he’s a good guy. It was very sad.”
According to Abdullah, the victim worked across the street from his business and was a familiar face in the neighborhood. He said the loss has deeply impacted local residents and business owners.
Abdullah also shared surveillance video captured around 2:00 p.m. Monday that shows a person entering Aref’s Deli and leaving a short time later. The footage was recorded shortly before the shooting that investigators say claimed the victim’s life.
Several neighbors reported hearing gunshots Monday afternoon, something many say is uncommon in the Black Rock community.
“I normally see ambulances around here, so I didn’t really think that much about it,” one resident said. “But it was a lot of cops, so I was like, ‘Wow, what’s going on?'”
Another neighbor said the violence was unlike anything they had experienced since moving to the area.
“We never had a shooting problem in this area,” said Emeline Ishimwe. “Since I moved here in 2018, I never heard of shooting problems here.”
According to the Erie County District Attorney’s Office, 28-year-old Saleh Mohamed was arraigned on murder charges connected to both the Grant Street homicide and three killings in Cheektowaga. Authorities allege Mohamed was responsible for all four deaths across Western New York on Monday.
As the legal process moves forward, residents in Black Rock say they are still searching for answers and struggling to understand what led to the violence.
Many instead are choosing to remember the victim for the positive impact he had on those around him.
“He’s a very good guy — very generous, helpful,” Ishimwe said. “Sometimes there are homeless people here. He always helped them. He always gave them drinks and stuff.”
Community members say those acts of kindness made a lasting impression on people throughout the neighborhood.
“He was really loved, I believe, by the community here,” Ishimwe added.
Saleh Mohamed is scheduled to return to court Friday, June 5.
