A 26-year-old Amazon Fulfilment Centre employee in Minnesota has been sentenced to prison for fatally shooting a co-worker during an argument over a missing flashlight accessory.
Mohamed A. Hared pleaded guilty to second-degree murder without intent in the death of Ahmed Ibrahim Cariif, according to a press release. He was sentenced to just over 10½ years in prison and received credit for the 700 days he had already served.
The shooting happened around 4 a.m. on June 29, 2024, in the parking lot of an Amazon facility in the 9800 block of 217th St. W. in Dakota County, according to a probable cause arrest affidavit. Officers with the Lakeville Police Department responded after multiple 911 calls reported gunfire at the site.
One caller identified himself as Hared and told dispatchers that he had “accidentally” shot a co-worker.
When first responders arrived, they found Cariif lying face down between two cars. Hared was standing nearby “with a gun in his hand,” authorities said. Cariif was pronounced dead at the scene. A third man, identified as “Witness 1,” had also called 911 and was waiting inside the facility when police arrived.
Investigators learned that Hared, Cariif and the witness were co-workers who had carpooled to work together in the witness’ vehicle.
Hared told police that he had brought his gun to work but left it inside the vehicle. During a 1 a.m. break, he went to the car and found the gun was still there, but claimed a flashlight attachment on the firearm was missing. He accused Cariif and the witness of taking it, both of whom denied it.
At another break around 4 a.m., the three men went to search the car. Hared said he put the gun back in his waistband while they looked for the flashlight.
Hared claimed that when he “politely” asked Cariif to return the flashlight, Cariif “became upset and made a stance indicating he wanted to fight.” He also claimed Cariif “advanced” on him and threw a punch, leaving him with “no other choice but to defend himself.”
Hared told police he pulled out the gun and said, “Stop man, I don’t want to have to use this,” but claimed Cariif “continued to advance” on him.
“I don’t know if he reached for my gun but as soon as he jumped on me, out of nowhere I heard the first shot, I don’t know if I hit anything else,” Hared said, according to police.
However, the witness gave a different account, which investigators said was supported by surveillance footage. The witness said Hared refused to call security to check cameras and instead told them, “No. You guys took my flashlight. I want my flashlight back. No one’s going home today.”
The affidavit said Cariif later yelled, “Don’t shoot me,” while the witness yelled, “Don’t shoot.” Hared then fired a second shot, and Cariif fell.
Security footage showed Hared threw the first punch and did not try to retreat, despite having opportunities to do so, police said. An autopsy found the bullet entered Cariif’s chest and struck his heart, lung and aorta.
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