Michigan Gas Station Clerk Sentenced to Prison After Shooting Over Stolen Chips Leads to Man’s Death on Lodge Freeway
MICHIGAN — A Detroit gas station clerk has been sentenced to up to six years in prison following a deadly confrontation that began over a bag of stolen chips and ended with a man’s tragic death on the Lodge Freeway.
According to court records and Metro Detroit News, Fahd Musid Husayn Ali, 27, pleaded guilty to Felonious Assault (Assault with a Dangerous Weapon) and Felony Firearm charges in connection to the December 2024 shooting that resulted in the death of 38-year-old Tony Williams.
A Wayne County judge sentenced Ali on December 4, 2025, to 1 to 4 years in prison for Felonious Assault, followed by a consecutive 2-year sentence for the firearm conviction. Prosecutors dismissed a more serious charge of Assault With Intent to Do Great Bodily Harm Less Than Murder as part of the plea deal.
Deadly Encounter Began Over Stolen Snacks
Investigators said the incident unfolded at a Mobil gas station near Lodge Freeway and McNichols when Williams was accused of stealing several bags of chips. According to police, Ali left the protected clerk area and chased Williams outside, firing multiple gunshots as the man fled.
A private security guard, identified by police as working with JagX Security, witnessed the incident and intervened, pointing his weapon at the clerk and holding him at gunpoint until officers arrived. Body camera footage later showed officers arresting Ali at the scene.
Victim’s Fatal Escape
Williams, who had fled on foot, continued running from the scene before jumping from an overpass onto the Lodge Freeway near 6 Mile, where he was struck and killed. Prosecutors argued that the clerk’s actions directly contributed to the chain of events that led to Williams’ death. They maintained that Ali acted recklessly and dangerously, escalating a minor theft into a deadly confrontation.
Defense attorneys, however, contended that Williams ran after spotting police rather than because shots were fired. Prosecutors rejected that claim, noting that at least one civilian witness saw Ali firing his gun while the victim fled.
Community Reaction and Station Shutdown
The incident sparked widespread outrage across Detroit, reigniting debate over gun use by store employees and customer safety at local gas stations. Police later suspended the Mobil station’s business license, citing “dangerous conduct” by the clerk. City officials confirmed that the location has since been taken over by new ownership.
Community activists and city leaders held several gatherings near the site in the weeks following the shooting, calling for stricter oversight of armed store employees and better training for de-escalation in retail settings.
Sentence and Aftermath
Ali’s sentence reflects the balance between accountability and plea negotiation, according to prosecutors. While he avoided a potential 10-year term under the dropped charge, the combined 1–6-year sentence marks a serious penalty for his role in the deadly encounter.
Family members of Tony Williams expressed frustration at the sentencing outcome but said they hope the case serves as a reminder of the devastating consequences of gun misuse. Stay updated with Michigan court and public safety news at SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com.
