ST. LOUIS — Family members said 22-year-old Iyaz Ahmed was excited about his future.
He was taking online computer science classes, a part-time student at Forest Park Community College and worked as a clerk at a BP gas station near Hampton and Interstate 64 in Dogtown.
Ahmed wanted to one day own his own business.
"He worked part-time at the gas station for six, seven years. His boss treated him like a son. He had big dreams," said Rahana Begum, Ahmed's adopted mom.
Police said early Tuesday morning, Ahmed was working overnight when someone shot him in the head and killed him.
Biologically, Ahmed was Rahana Begum's nephew, but she officially adopted him when Iyaz moved to the U.S. from Bangladesh.
"He was my younger sister's child," Begum said. "He was so kind. He was so smart, very organized and loved helping people."
She said Iyaz saw three people ride up to the gas station, try to break into his car and when he ran outside to confront them, Ahmed was killed.
Initially, police said 19-year-old Jataveion Scott was "a person of interest" in the homicide, but now, they said that's no longer the case.
Officers were escorting a handcuffed and reportedly barefoot Scott to a patrol car when they say he ran off and that he's still wanted for "tampering with a motor vehicle and escaping police custody."
"I do not understand," Begum said. "Why? If somebody is handcuffed, what type of police cannot find him? He should not go far away."
"The investigators were planning on interviewing him in an effort to determine exactly what his involvement in the incident may be," Sgt. Charles Wall with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department.
On Wednesday, Iyaz Ahmed's parents picked up his Honda Accord from the gas station. Flowers were left on the front windshield, as the clerk's hurting family and longtime customers pray for an arrest.
"I came here with my husband thinking I could drive his car to our home, but I cannot drive his car," Begum said. "I am heartbroken."
"When I heard he was the one shot, I was just shocked," longtime customer Shawn Nolan said. "Iyaz was such a nice guy. He always made every customer feel comfortable."
Nolan offered his condolences to the clerk's family and friends.
"I just hate that happened to him. I'm sure eventually someone will give up his killer," Nolan said.
"Of course, I want him caught as soon as possible," Begum said.
Anyone with information regarding the shooting should contact Crime Stoppers at 1-866-371-TIPS (8477).
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