Press Releases

$200,000 offered for murder information
July 4, 2009

This week marks two years since a Collier County business man was murdered in Immokalee. Family members are offering a $200,000 reward for information leading to the arrests and convictions of two suspects – who remain unidentified and on the run.

“He was the most giving man I’ll ever know and he’ll always be my hero," said daughter Janeth Hassam.

For more than a decade, Homar Hassam was known as a generous business man – someone who would give food off the very shelves he stocked so that no one would go hungry. But last July, two unknown gunmen brought Hassam’s life to an end – and now investigators, along with Hassam’s widow and two children, are pleading for answers and hoping for justice.

“He lived a very humble life… he got along with everyone. Everybody loved him,": Hassam said.

According to investigators, two suspects walked into Hassam’s store on Lake Trafford Road in Immokalee around 1 p.m. The store was being renovated, and the men were supposedly looking for work – but Hassam had no jobs at the moment.

 “They come back a second time, Mr. Hasaam graciously says it’s going to be awhile before he could use them. That’s when the encounter occurs," said Det. Kevin O’Neill of the Collier County Sheriff's Office.

Hassam was murdered in the store he worked so hard to build for 13 years – robbed of his wallet and his life. Numerous witnesses have come forward, and detectives have been able to come up with two sketches of the suspects – now they just need names to go with the faces.

Investigators describe both suspects are very dark skinned males, with acne marks on their faces. The family is putting together a $200,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the men responsible for Hassam’s death – hoping the financial incentive will encourage someone to provide the information that will put two killers behind bars.

“It does not bring him back – nothing ever will. But it brings some justice and the justice system works… Please come forward – do not be afraid," Hassam said.

Anyone with information on the murder of Homar Hassam is asked to call the Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-780-TIPS (8477). All callers will remain anonymous and will be eligible for up to $1,000 from Crime Stoppers – and up to $200,000 from the Hassam family.

Tips may also be made online at www.swflcrimestoppers.org