AKRON, Ohio– The Akron Police Department is looking for a woman who murdered a 21-year-old Muslim man during an armed robbery at a Pizza shop.

Zakareia Husein was working at his family owned ‘Premium New York Style Pizza’ shop when he was shot during a robbery shortly before 11 p.m. on Monday, December 7, after an armed and disguised female walked in and demanded cash.

Surveillance footage showed Hussein complying with the robber’s request. He reached into the register and began placing money on the counter while the woman aimed a gun at him.  

Despite his compliance, the woman shot at him a few seconds later. She took the cash and fled the scene. 

Husein was taken to a local hospital shorty after, where he was pronounced dead from a gunshot wound to his stomach. 

The Husein family is offering $50,000 in reward for finding the murderer.

Local authorities believe the shooter may have been involved in two recent Family Dollar robberies in the area.

Husein’s family owned Pizza shop.

In those cases, two disguised gunmen stormed in the stores and demanded money from the register. No employees were shot or murdered in those robberies. 

It remains unclear if Husein’s murder would classify as a hate crime and whether the family’s business was targeted because of their race or religion.

Detectives are also investigating whether the shooter may have known Husein or if someone he knew set him up. 

Husein was a student at the University of Akron, just a few miles away from his family’s pizza shop, where he studied international business. He was an active member of the Muslim Students Association. 

The college released the following statement on his behalf;

“Friends of Zakareia will remember him as a talented student and as an active member of the Muslim Students Association. The University extends its condolences to Zakareia’s family and friends, and we share in your sadness over such a senseless act.”

Anyone with information about the homicides or robberies should call the Akron Police Department Detective Bureau at 330-375-2490, the U.S. Marshals Service at 1-866-4-WANTED or Summit County Crimestoppers Inc. at 330-434-COPS.