DETROIT — According to The Detroit News, police are investigating the killing this week of a gas station owner who was charged last year with killing a rival gas station owner during a price war.

“Hassan Masbouth, 52, was shot to death outside his home in the 1600 block of Infantry on the city’s southwest side at about noon. He was shot in the head in his back yard after he had left his house, police said.

“Around 5 p.m., Masbouth’s wife escorted police from their dark brick, two-story home on the corner of Infantry and Cadet, but refused to talk to reporters. Police have no suspects.

“Masbouth was facing open murder charges. He never denied shooting Jawad Bazzi, his 46-year-old business rival and owner of the BP gas station near Fort and Springwells.

“Masbouth was accused of shooting Bazzi in November, after Bazzi and other men walked across the street to confront his competitor about lowering prices at his station. A fight broke out between the two men and Masbouth allegedly shot Bazzi to death.

“Employees at Masbouth’s Pure Petro gas station said Masbouth had feared for his life since the incident. They would not give their names because they said they also feared someone would harm them.

“A yellow card with a picture of Masbouth was taped on the plexiglass window where customers make purchases.

“The card read: “Anyone who witnessed the sad events of Friday, Nov. 16 please come forward. We need witnesses. An innocent man is being held for defending his life and that of his friend.”

“The employees said Masbouth had visited the station at Fort and Springwells since the other owner’s death, but that he was not working there anymore.”