FORT LAUDERDALE, FL – A dispute over the price of beer at a local gas station ended in violence last week, leaving one man injured and a store clerk facing a felony charge, according to authorities.
Broward County deputies responded just before midnight on June 19 to reports of a shooting at a Valero gas station on 3389 W. Broward Blvd. When officers arrived, they were met by Abdulla Monther, 46, who works as a clerk at the station. Monther immediately told deputies he had just argued with a customer and that the confrontation escalated to gunfire.
Investigators say the altercation began during a transaction at the counter. Witnesses stated that the disagreement was over the addition of fifty cents needed to complete the purchase of a beer. Surveillance footage, voluntarily provided by the store manager, appeared to confirm the sequence of events described to deputies.
The footage reportedly showed the verbal exchange intensifying until the customer tossed a small object — possibly a piece of paper — at Monther. In response, Monther is seen retrieving a 9mm handgun from under the counter, loading a round into the chamber, and firing in the direction of the customer. The victim, according to the sheriff’s office, was struck in the right calf.
A criminal complaint affidavit noted that Monther followed the victim around the store while still armed after the shot was fired. Law enforcement later recovered the firearm, a bullet, and a magazine during a search of the store premises.
Monther was read his Miranda rights and gave a statement to deputies. He claimed the customer had become belligerent and aggressive, grabbing packs of candy and pushing them toward him while making threats. Monther told officers he fired intentionally at the floor in order to scare the customer rather than causing a direct injury.
Emergency services transported the wounded customer to a nearby hospital to be treated for a gunshot wound. There was no immediate update on the victim’s condition.
Monther was arrested and booked on a charge of aggravated battery. He was held at the Broward County Jail on $10,000 bond, which he has since posted, according to court records.
Authorities have not disclosed whether further charges could be filed as the investigation continues.