Police Search For Suspect Accused Of Fatally Shooting 21-Year-Old Sneaker Shop Owner
RAHWAY, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- A community in New Jersey is coming together to mourn the tragic loss of a young man, while police search for his killer.
The 21-year-old business owner was gunned down inside the sneaker store he had always dreamed of opening.
The victim has been identified as Jamal "Mally" Gaines, the owner of East Coast Boutique.
"He was so hardworking. This was the coat he wore yesterday when I dropped him off," Tina Wilson, the victim's mother, told TV 10/55's Ilana Gold.
"He knew what it was not to have anything, so he helped out people," Hattie Manocchi, the victim's grandmother, told CBS2's Dave Carlin. "You wanted to be around him."
Wilson said she drove Gaines to work Friday morning. She never imagined that would be their last time together.
Police said someone opened fire in the shop around 9 p.m. on Friday evening, an hour after the shop closed. Wilson said she spoke with an employee of her son's who saw everything and explained the account.
"The door was locked, someone turned the lock. They were knocking on the door and they said 'police'... they said 'police' again. Everyone said 'don't open the door,' my son said 'open the door,'" Wilson said.
She said Gaines opened the door and one of the suspects then pushed himself in with a gun. An accomplice followed and Gaines tried stopping them, according to the account.
"He ran to the guy who had the gun... the other guy shot him and everyone else ran out," Wilson said.
Divinity Gaines, the victim's brother, said Jamal was an inspiration.
"He was a loving kid. He loved to work with children. He loved making money to save money," Divinity told WCBS 880's Stephanie Colombini.
She said from the age of 16, her brother worked tirelessly to achieve his dream of selling sneakers.
A memorial was set up outside the store in tribute to the victim on Saturday morning, CBS2's Ilana Gold reported.
Union County crime stoppers are offering up to $10,000 for information leading to an arrest and indictment in the case.
This story is developing.
