20-Year-Old Manatee Man Accused Of Killing Store Clerk

BRADENTON, FL — A 20-year-old man has been accused of the "completely unprovoked" murder of a Florida store clerk during a robbery that was seen on remote surveillance video by the victim's brother, according to the Manatee County Sheriff's Office and court documents.

Amado Alexander Zeppi was charged Thursday with second-degree murder in connection with the Tuesday night slaying of 23-year-old Mohammed J. Hamed, who was found dead in the backroom of the Green Galaxy Smoke Shop when deputies arrived.

Detectives are still searching for two other people, according to the Manatee County Sheriff's Office.

Court documents said Zeppi arrived at the business in a silver car with three other men, one of whom entered the store before the others to act as a distraction. The driver remained in the vehicle during the robbery.

Two minutes later Zeppi and a third man allegedly entered the business with their faces covered and carrying firearms while the first man made his way back to the car.

"Zeppi was carrying a loaded SKS rifle with a bayonet attached to the end," according to court documents. "Hamed was ordered to the back of the store and forced to open the small safe in the bathroom."

Court documents said the suspects packed a bag full of items from the store.

"Zeppi continued to point his weapon at Hamed and then completely unprovoked he swung the firearm striking Hamed with the bayonet end," the documents said. "The firearm fired upon striking Hamed and discharged a projectile into Hamed's head, killing him."

Florida corporate records identified the manager of the business as Musa J. Hamed. The sheriff's office did not say if Musa Hamed placed the call to police around 11 p.m. Tuesday.

"The reporting party called and stated that by remote video surveillance he could see two people with guns pointing them at his brother," the sheriff's office explained. "He stated that his brother was on the ground."

The smoke shop is located at 3212 1st Street West in Bradenton. The store website says that it offers a variety of healthier ways to smoke from herbs to oils.

Mohammed Hamed would have celebrated his 24th birthday in a few weeks.

"Deputies arrived on scene, established a perimeter, and cleared the open business," the Manatee sheriff's office said.

The sheriff's office released surveillance images of two gunmen, one of whom was carrying an SKS rifle with a bayonet.

"It appears to have been a robbery attempt," said the sheriff's office.

To report a tip, call the Manatee County Sheriff's Office at 941-747-3011 or Crime Stoppers at 866-634-TIPS.