Grocery store owner fatally shot

On Sunday morning at 7 am, Gande A. Salamed, a partnering owner and manager of El Mercado Fresco in Hickman Mills, was preparing to open the grocery store as he had always done since the store opened six years ago. But this morning due to gunfire, Salamed–a husband, father and grandfather– lost his life.

At 7 am, patrol officers were dispatched to the 6800 block of Longview Road on a reported shooting at the grocery store. 

 Upon arrival officers were directed to the front of the grocery store where Salamed was found suffering from gunshot wounds.  Officers began to render aid as KCFD Medics simultaneously arrived. Salamed, 49 years old, who also owned a former discount store in the shopping strip, was pronounced deceased on scene. 

 Other officers arriving were directed to the north side of the grocery store parking lot where they located an additional male victim, also suffering from gunshot wounds. He was transported to a local hospital by ambulance, with life threatening injuries. That victim has not yet been identified. 

 Just before 9 am, investigators were notified that the second male victim died of his injuries at the hospital. 

 This is being investigated as a homicide, and no one is in custody. Preliminary information indicates there was an interaction outside of the grocery store between multiple individuals just prior to the shots being fired. Detectives and crime scene personnel are canvassing the scene for physical evidence, witnesses, and surveillance footage. 

 If anyone has any information they are asked to contact Homicide detectives directly at 816-234-5043 or the TIPS Hotline anonymously at 816-474-TIPS. There is a reward of up to $25,000 for information submitted anonymously to the TIPS hotline.

We are committed to assisting victims of violent crimes through use of Missouri’s Protection Program for Victims/Witnesses of Violent Crime. Funding for temporary, or even permanent relocation, may be available but is subject to pre-approval by the State’s administering agency. 

We are working with Partners for Peace in all our homicide investigations to monitor risks for retaliation and provide social services to affected residents.