BAKERSFIELD - The popular owner of a local convenience store remained hospitalized Tuesday. Authorities are still searching for the man who shot him during a robbery at La Perla Market in northeast Bakersfield. 17 News spoke with the store clerk's sons who say Fawzi Mussad is recovering at Kern Medical Center.
When Mussad's sons heard their father had been shot with a handgun, they say they hopped on the next flight here from Alabama. What they found was a damaged store and a neighborhood concerned for the man they call 'Uncle Mike.'
"It was crazy," said Angelia Salazar, a neighbor who knows Mussad. "I couldn't believe it."
Salazar said La Perla is a local market neighbors frequent daily. On Tuesday, the shop was closed because on Monday afternoon the unthinkable happened, 60-year-old Fawzi Mussad was shot during what deputies say was a robbery.
"We actually thought it was fireworks," said Salazar. "We heard a couple little pops and then after, the fourth or fifth. Once we ran outside and were like what's going on? We saw someone run out the store and we all ran to check on Mike. All we were worried about was Mike you know."
'Uncle Mike' is what neighbors call Mussad. Like his store, we're told he is a fixture on this northeast Bakersfield block.
"He's been here for over twenty years at this location so my kids have grown up with him. I've grown up with him. My wife's grown up with him," said Oscar Ramos, a neighbor.
Mussad's sons would not speak on camera, but they let 17 News inside La Perla Market. His sons say the robber came in the front door then hid between the counter and a shelf. Sheriff's deputies said the two exchanged fire. The gunfire shattered refrigerator glass and punctured the counter. Mussad's sons said their dad was hit three times in the chest before he chased the suspect out.
"He had a ski mask on," said Salazar of the suspect. "I didn't get a good look at him, but I hope they catch him."
After the shooting, authorities went door to door searching for the suspect, but so far they have made no arrests.
"It is an ongoing investigation," said Ray Pruitt, Kern County Sheriff's Department. "Detectives are following up on leads. We do have some video surveillance. Detectives are reviewing the surveillance."
As of Tuesday, no images were released to the public. Until then, some neighborhood residents say they'll be fearful of everyone.
"It's scary," said Ramos. "It's really scary. We live around the corner. You got all this stuff going on now and it's real bad now."
Mussad's son says nothing was stolen. If you have any information about this shooting, you are urged to contact the Sheriff's Department at 861-3110 or the Secret Witness hotline at 322-4040.