DETROIT (WXYZ) — A 77-year-old man was gunned down after his shift at a liquor store on Detroit's west side.
Detroit police said the crime occurred Saturday around 11 p.m. in the 16200 block of Schoolcraft. He was shot and killed.
The victim was identified by family and friends as Lewis Putrus. On Monday, the Midwest Independent Retailers Foundation offered a $10,000 reward for the arrest and conviction.
“We have seen too many of these killings of people trying to operate an honest business,” said Auday Arabo, president and CEO of MIRA.
Arabo said Lewis was leaving his brother's business at the time of the shooting.
“Why can’t these criminals take the money and just go? Many store owners help out a lot of their customers in the neighborhoods; they serve and give or loan money at various times when people are in need," Arabo said. "There was no reason to kill this 77-year-old grandfather of 10.”
Police are searching for multiple suspects. They believe one suspect demanded money and a witness said a second suspect approached the victim and he heard 2-3 gunshots.
Lewis was pronounced dead at the scene.
The business is temporarily closed but this community is open for answers about this tragic crime.
If you have information on this crime, contact Detroit police.
