Father of Parkland survivors shot to death in robbery

The father of two Parkland shooting survivors was reportedly shot and killed during a robbery at his convenience store this week. 

An NBC affiliate in Miami reported that Ayub Ali, whose son and daughter survived the mass shooting at a Parkland, Fla., high school, died on Tuesday night. The news outlet notes that Ali, 61, was a father of four.

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The Broward County Sheriff’s Office told NBC that Ali was fatally shot at his North Lauderdale convenience store. The network reported that Lauderdale Lakes BSO deputies and Tamarac Fire Rescue paramedics discovered a wounded Ali when they arrived at Aunt Molly’s Food Store.

He was later transported to Fort Lauderdale’s Broward Health Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. 

The sheriff’s office said in a statement that Ali was forced to the back of the store and shot by the suspect. 

“He took money from the cash register and left. The thief returned shortly after and shot Ali,” The sheriff’s office said in a statement. “The suspect wore a black vest, reddish-orange shorts with a black and white stripe on the sides, reddish-orange slides and a skull cap with ‘Miami’ stitched on the front.”

NBC notes that the convenience store where Ali worked reopened on Thursday, with customers making a makeshift memorial at the location.

Ali’s death comes just months after a mass shooting took place at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, leaving 17 dead.

Many students from the high school have led a nationwide movement to demand action on gun laws in the months since, with many of the efforts targeting the National Rifle Association and politicians who accept campaign donations from the organization.