Man charged in fatal shooting of grandfather, liquor store clerk in West Rogers Park earlier this month

A 53-year-old man has been charged with first-degree murder of Salim Khamo at a West Rogers Park liquor store clerk who was fatally shot earlier this month, Chicago police Superintendent David Brown said at a news conference Friday.

Sean Dunnavant, of the 6300 block of North Oakley Avenue, was arrested Wednesday in the 6300 block of North Claremont Avenue and also charged with attempted armed robbery with a firearm after Khamo, 66, was fatally shot around 9:50 p.m. Oct. 17 while he was working behind the counter of a food and liquor store in the 6300 block of North Western Avenue, Brown said.

Dunnavant will appear in court Friday.

“We know this is extremely difficult and traumatic for the family of Mr. Khamo and the community for that matter, and we are just hoping that this offender being brought to justice and being charged brings some measure of peace,” Brown said.

Dunnavant had arrived at Khamo’s store on bicycle and announced a robbery, Brown said. Based on video evidence, the two argued and Dunnavant fired one shot at Khamo, hitting him in the chest.

Khamo, who had a Firearm Owner’s Identification card, was able to return fire but did not strike Dunnavant, who ran out of the store, according to a police report.

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Police found one shell casing on top of the register and one live round under Khamo’s body, the report said. Police also found Khamo’s gun.

No money or belongings were taken during the attempted robbery, police said.

The Chicago Fire Department transported Khamo to Ascension St. Francis Hospital in Evanston in critical condition. He was pronounced dead at 11:43 p.m., according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.

Dunnavant had dropped a cellphone while leaving the crime scene, Brown said additional video evidence revealed. The phone was used to identify Dunnavant.

Police then began to surveillance Dunnavant after he was identified until he was able to be arrested and charged, Brown said.

“I want to ask everyone to continue praying for the Khamo family and the community. This was a senseless act of violence that should not have not escalated to the lost of Mr. Khamo’s life,” Brown said. “He was at work at a small business making a living for himself and his family. People who knew Mr. Khamo described him as a hardworking man and most of all, a loving family man.”

pfry@chicag