Highland Park Police hold two men for gas station murder

WXYZ -  “I’ve never seen such citizen participation,” said Highland Park Police Detective Paul Thomas of the help provided to police after a cold blooded murder Wednesday.

Police say Hassan Hussein, 59, was gunned down during a robbery inside the Citgo Gas station where he worked as an overnight clerk.

Police say they released surveillance video of two men they suspect are involved.

You can see one man walk in the store, pick up a bottle of juice, then drop the bottle on the ground creating a mess before suddenly walking out of the store.  Police say it was all a diversion.

When Hussein stepped out from behind the counter, another man with a gun stormed the store, shot him, and robbed the business.

Highland Park Police say as folks in the area learned about the crime, tips came pouring in.  When they released surveillance video, those tips quadrupled.

“I would like to applaud members of the community for stepping up and taking back their community,” said Highland Park mayor Deandre Windom.

Police arrested the man they suspect shot Hussein thanks to tip calls.  A short time later police got a surprise call from the man they suspect purposely made a mess to distract the Dearborn resident.

“Word got back to him, hey you’re on TV,” said Highland Park Police Chief Lorenzo Veal II. “Of course he called us and wanted to talk about his set of circumstances about how this could be a mistake.  We’re willing to listen.”

Police say they are investigating the man’s story, but suspect he is involved in the crime.

They say they will submit two warrant requests to the Wayne County Prosecutors Office on Friday.  They will request charges be issued against the two men who are both being held in city lockup.  They are investigating whether the men are responsible for other robberies in the area.

The news comes as family members prepare for a prayer and burial service for Hassan Hussein.  They say he was a generous, hard-working, father and grandfather who will never be forgotten.