LEE COUNTY, Fla (CBS12) — A unanimous jury has convicted a man of firstdegree murder and robbery with a firearm in the 2024 killing of a Port St. Lucie father at a Leesburg convenience store.

The trial began earlier this week and concluded Wednesday after nearly three hours of deliberation, with Judge Brian Welke sentencing Alex Lopez, 26, to life in prison without parole.

Slain shop owner, Raied 'Ray' Shihadeh, 51 is remembered as a devoted husband and father of five who worked hard to provide for his family. “There are moments when there’s tears, somberness. It’s been a struggle,” Monique Shihadeh said. “He was just always my rock, always. We were a team, a great team.” (Tarleshia Jerger){p}{/p}Slain shop owner, Raied ‘Ray’ Shihadeh, 51 is remembered as a devoted husband and father of five who worked hard to provide for his family. “There are moments when there’s tears, somberness. It’s been a struggle,” Monique Shihadeh said. “He was just always my rock, always. We were a team, a great team.” (Tarleshia Jerger)

On May 30, 2024, Raied “Ray” Shihadeh was shot while on a FaceTime call with his wife during a robbery at the M & M Food Mart. Officers found him behind the counter with gunshot wounds to the abdomen and head. Surveillance footage showed a masked gunman brandishing a firearm, then taking less than $100 and a vape product before fleeing.

According to prosecutors, a witness told police she entered the store and heard screaming from a cell phone, later determined to be Shihadeh’s call with his wife.

Alex Lopez, the man accused of killing a store clerk during an armed robbery in Leesburg in 2024, was found guilty of first-degree murder and robbery with a firearm on Wednesday. (Leesburg PD)

Alex Lopez, the man accused of killing a store clerk during an armed robbery in Leesburg in 2024, was found guilty of first-degree murder and robbery with a firearm on Wednesday. (Leesburg PD)

Detectives released suspect photos in a public bulletin, and tips quickly identified Lopez. He was arrested on June 26, 2024, at a motel in Kissimmee.

State Attorney Bill Gladson called Lopez a “ruthless, wannabe thug” who valued money over life.

26‑year‑old Alex Lopez (pictured right) was sentenced Wednesday, December 17, 2025, to life in prison without parole for the fatal shooting of Port St. Lucie father Raied Shihadeh (left) during a Leesburg convenience store robbery. (Family/Leesburg PD)

26‑year‑old Alex Lopez (pictured right) was sentenced Wednesday, December 17, 2025, to life in prison without parole for the fatal shooting of Port St. Lucie father Raied Shihadeh (left) during a Leesburg convenience store robbery. (Family/Leesburg PD)

RELATED ARTICLE: ‘He took a good person:’ Port St. Lucie family of slain store owner pleads for justice

Shihadeh’s widow, Monique, delivered an emotional statement: “When someone walked in, they changed the trajectory of our lives not only for myself but for my children. I promise you today’s verdict was not a miscarriage of justice; it was the perfect carriage of justice.” She added that while the pain remains, the verdict brings her family some relief after the “gut-wrenching” uncertainty of that night.