Atlanta-based Kenyan man shot dead in Alabama

US-based Kenyan Mike Mulwa, who died on June 4, 2017 after he was shot while working at a petrol station in Birmingham, Alabama. PHOTO | COURTESY

Atlanta-based  Kenyan man shot dead in Alabama

An Atlanta-based Kenyan man succumbed to injuries Sunday morning after he was shot by a gunman while working at a petrol station in Birmingham, Alabama, in the United States.

Mike Mulwa, 29, was shot following an altercation on Saturday night at a Citgo filling station, located on 9800 block of Parkway East in Birmingham.

A statement from local police said that officers from the East Precinct responded to an emergency call at around 11.30pm on Saturday and found two people trying to resuscitate the victim.

“Mulwa was rushed to the University of Alabama trauma hospital where he underwent surgery but died from the gunshot wound at 4.30am on Sunday,” read the statement.

Investigators believe robbery was the motive.

ALTERCATION

By Sunday evening, detectives were still investigating the shooting and asked anyone with any information to call the police.

“Investigators are sure an altercation took place inside the location and at some point the victim was shot,” said Sgt. Bryan Shelton, the lead detective.

“People should be able to go to work and return home without being the victim of a crime. Our investigators will work hard to bring this family answers and bring the killer to justice,” added Shelton.

A family member told the Nation that Mr Mulwa was the founder of the #254 clothes label and the proprietor of the #254 skill-wear fashion brand. The Kenyan community in Atlanta was shocked by the news of Mr Mulwa’s death.

“His wife, who is expectant with their third child, is in disbelief and is totally saddened by the news,” said Chege Maina, a close family friend.

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By Sunday evening, detectives were still piecing together evidence from the scene of the crime, including reviewing footage from security cameras.

Mr Mulwa lived in Atlanta but worked in Alabama, according to family members.

Family members told a local TV station that he had called a friend to say he had been shot and asked him to call 911.

Mr Mulwa’s parents, Violent Mueni and Councillor Ngangi, and his only surviving brother, Vincent Mutuku, live in Kenya.

He moved to the US in 2008, and worked at various department stores in Atlanta before landing a job with Shaw Industries.

His family described him as soft-spoken and kind.

He leaves behind a widow, two children and an unborn baby.