The family of a man murdered during a robbery outside a Dallas Costco is pushing for the 16-year-old suspect charged in the shooting to be tried as an adult.
As reported by The Dallas Express, 60-year-old Ali Elbanna, a resident of Arlington, was loading groceries into his car in Costco’s parking lot on November 16, 2021, when three men and a woman approached and attempted to rob him.
Elbanna was shot and killed during the robbery. The three men fled the scene of the incident, but police apprehended the woman.
Police later arrested the three male suspects on November 17, 2021.
According to The Dallas Morning News, investigators said 19-year-old Jacoby Bryce Tatum, 17-year-old Janiya Lashay Miller, and 17-year-old James Levels approached Elbanna to rob him before the 16-year-old shot the victim. A grand jury later cleared Tatum.
Elbanna’s wife and children now insist that the 16-year-old be tried as an adult.
The family gathered outside the Henry Wade Juvenile Justice Center in West Dallas on April 26 to demand justice for their father. Elbanna’s eldest son, Sayed, maintained that the 16-year-old is old enough to be tried as an adult.
“Taking someone’s life like that should not be a slap on the wrist,” Sayed said. “Any 16-year-old should know if murder is good or bad. They know better.”
Sayed referred to the shooter as a “man,” saying he should be convicted of capital murder and receive a life sentence.
A judge will consider evidence from prosecutors and the defense along with a report conducted by the juvenile department into the 16-year-old’s history before deciding if he will be tried as an adult. A hearing is set for July 8.
