Jury convicts Alex Lopez of murder in deadly 2024 shooting of Leesburg clerk, father of five

Alex Lopez found guilty of murdering Leesburg store clerk

A Florida man was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the fatal shooting of a convenience store clerk in Leesburg last year, authorities said. A jury took about three hours to find Alex Lopez guilty in the killing of 51-year-old Raied "Ray" Shihadeh, who was shot during a robbery in which less than $100 was taken.

LAKE COUNTY, Fla. - A man accused of shooting and killing a convenience store clerk and father of five in Leesburg was found guilty of murder by a jury on Wednesday. 

What we know:

Alex Lopez, 26, was accused of shooting Raied "Ray" Shihadeh during a robbery at the M&M Food Mart in Leesburg in May 2024. 

Surveillance video from the store showed a man walking into the store and shooting Shihadeh, who was on FaceTime with his wife at the time. The man is then seen hopping over the counter before fleeing the store, according to authorities. 

Shihadeh, a father of five, died from his injuries after being taken to a hospital.

Alex Lopez Trial: Jury reaches verdict : Full

A Lake County jury reached a verdict on Wednesday in the trial of Alex Lopez, who was accused of shooting Raied "Ray" Shihadeh during a robbery at the M&M Food Mart in Leesburg in May 2024. Surveillance video from the store showed a man walking into the store and shooting Shihadeh, who was on FaceTime with his wife at the time. The man is then seen hopping over the counter before fleeing the store, according to authorities. Shihadeh, a father of five, died from his injuries after being taken to a hospital. Lopez evaded police for weeks before he was arrested in June 2024 at a hotel in Osceola County. A jury convicted Lopez of murder and robbery.

Lopez evaded police for weeks before he was arrested in June 2024 at a hotel in Osceola County. He faces multiple charges, including murder.

After a multi-day trial and three hours of deliberation, a jury of 12 brought forth their unanimous agreement before a judge, deciding that Lopez was guilty of first-degree murder and guilty of robbery with a firearm. 

Judge Brian Welke sentenced Lopez to Life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Prosecutors have decided not to seek the death penalty in the case. Lopez faces a possible sentence of life in prison if convicted.