LAKE COUNTY, Fla. – The courtroom held its breath as the jury delivered its verdict in a high-profile case involving a deadly shooting during a robbery in Leesburg. The defendant, Alex Lopez, stood accused of the tragic killing of Raied Shihadeh, a local store clerk.

The incident took place on May 29, 2024, at the Fast Stop Superette located on Picciola Road, just east of U.S. Highway 441. Lopez was apprehended following the shooting, which left the community in shock and mourning.

As we await the official verdict, we promise to keep you informed with the latest updates on this developing story. Stay tuned to News 6 for further details as they unfold.

Earlier this week, the emotional weight of the trial was palpable as Shihadeh’s widow took the stand. Her testimony was heart-wrenching, particularly as she recounted the moment she was on FaceTime with her husband when he was shot. Her tears underscored the personal tragedy behind the legal proceedings.

On Tuesday, Shihadeh’s widow broke down several times on the stand as she testified about talking to him on FaceTime when he was shot.

“We were on a call, and all of a sudden he dropped the phone, and I heard him scream, no, no. I kept calling for him,” she said.

Detectives and a DNA specialist also took the stand.

While the state maintains Lopez shot the clerk as part of a robbery, the defense on Tuesday argued his wife did not see Lopez pull the trigger.

Lopez was on the run for weeks before he was captured by police on June 26, 2024, near Kissimmee.

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After Lopez’s arrest, Leesburg police announced a couple months later that his mother and sister were arrested and accused of hiding Lopez from law enforcement.

His girlfriend, Kaili E. Dupuis, turned herself in days after Lopez’s mother and sister were arrested. She faced similar charges.

Lopez was charged with murder, armed robbery, firearm possession by a felon and use of a firearm during a felony.

Prosecutors are seeking life in prison.

The trial is moving quickly and is expected to wrap up this week.