LEESBURG, FL (352today.com) – Monique Shihadeh describes her late husband as larger than life.
51-year-old Raied Shihadeh was murdered in cold blood on Thursday, May 30, 2024, at the Leesburg convenience store he co-owned.
Security camera footage from the Fast Stop Superette on Picciola Road captured the crime and helped the Leesburg Police Department (LPD) identify 25-year-old Alex Lopez as the suspect in the killing.
He remains at-large, and Central Florida Crimeline has offered a $5,000 reward for information that leads to his arrest. Shihadeh has set up a GoFundMe page to raise money to increase the reward. Currently, more than $4,700 has been donated. If you have information, you’re urged to give an anonymous tip to 1-800-423-8477 or report your tip online.
Shihadeh says she wants to keep Raied’s memory alive by telling his story in the media and on social platforms; while also keeping Lopez’s image at the forefront so he can be brought to justice.
“I don’t want this to happen to another family. I don’t want this situation that has happened to myself and my children to happen to anyone else.”
Remembering Raied
Shihadeh says her husband was known for his thoughtfulness, consideration, sense of humor and generosity. The void that’s been left is wide and deep. The Shihadeh’s five children had to spend their first Father’s Day without their dad.
“This hasn’t been easy, it’s been very difficult,” said Shihadeh. “Even though my children are processing their grief, each of them in a different way, it’s hard. But we are standing on the foundation that we had built with our children, that they won’t become hardened because of this or become different people because of this. I don’t want that for them, and I know their dad wouldn’t want that either.”
She says the love that’s been shown for Raied is overwhelming and was especially apparent a week after his murder, with the outpouring of support at a balloon release.
“Our family and friends have been a huge support system,” said Shihadeh. “However, nothing could ever fill the void of his presence.”
Shihadeh says their youngest son has been having dreams about his dad. She tells her children that when they dream of their father, that’s his way of coming to visit them, to let them know he’s okay and he’ll always be there for them, even though he’s not there in the physical form.
“Today (June 18) is the first day I’ve been able to pull myself out of the house. I would get coffee several days a week. I had even stopped that,” said Shihadeh. “This morning, I was drawn to his gravesite. I was emotional when I left, but I needed to be close to him. He was my strength. I went to talk to him this morning, but it’s still that void that’s there.”
Shihadeh thinks about all of the things Raied will miss, everything from the milestones to the mundane.
“We’d go out to dinner, and just hang out here, watch TV and movies,” said Shihadeh. “Even if it was something he wouldn’t like to watch. He would sit there and muddle through it because it was something I liked, or the kids liked.”
She said she’ll miss Raied’s thoughtfulness, simple things like buying the type of oranges that she loved or picking up his children’s favorite fruits.
“He was very observant and wanted to do things to keep his family happy,” said Shihadeh. “He never wanted us to worry.”
She described Raied as an encourager and extremely patient. More and more she says she sees him in her children.
“He left behind such amazing kids,” said Shihadeh. “I see his legacy in each one of them. It’s so important for me to continue to instill those values in them. He was amazing and cared about people.”