A Florida man was arrested after allegedly shooting a customer during a heated dispute over the price of a beer at a gas station in Fort Lauderdale, authorities confirmed.
The suspect, 46-year-old Abdulla Monther, has been charged with one count of aggravated battery, according to the Broward County Sheriff’s Office. The incident took place at a Valero gas station where Monther was working as the overnight clerk.
Deputies responded to reports of a shooting at the station on June 19 around 11:40 p.m. Upon arrival, they were met by Monther himself, who admitted to having a verbal altercation with a customer that escalated to gunfire.
According to the official affidavit, the disagreement stemmed from an extra fifty cents the customer was asked to pay for a beer. The situation quickly intensified. The customer reportedly threw a small object, possibly paper, toward Monther during the argument.
In reaction, Monther allegedly grabbed a black Sig Sauer P226 9mm pistol from under the counter, chambered a round, and fired a shot at the customer. The bullet struck the customer in the right calf, the document states.
Surveillance footage, turned over to investigators by the gas station manager, supported the eyewitness accounts. The video reportedly shows Monther drawing the weapon, aiming, and firing it toward the customer during the exchange.
Shockingly, after firing the shot, Monther is said to have used a racial slur while still holding the firearm, then followed the injured customer around the store, the affidavit claims. His actions after the shooting raised concerns about intent and escalation.
The suspect was read his Miranda rights and later told investigators that the customer was loud, aggressive, and threatened to kill him. Monther stated that the victim shoved candy packs toward him and declared he was “going to die tonight.”
Monther also claimed he fired at the floor rather than directly at the customer in an effort to avoid fatal harm. However, the bullet still struck the man’s leg.
Law enforcement officers later found the firearm, a single bullet, and a magazine during a sweep of the gas station. These items were located close to where the incident happened.
Monther was taken into custody and booked at the Broward County Jail. However, court documents show he posted a $10,000 bond and was released on the following Monday.
The case remains under investigation, and no further charges have been filed at this time.
