Assyrian man, a beloved family figure, killed in Chicago during attempted robbery

The 66-year-old is remembered by his family as a hard worker, patriarchal figure and joy to those who knew him.

Salim Khamo, the victim of a deadly attempted armed robbery in Chicago, poses for a photo surrounded by his seven grandchildren. (Photo/Sinan Khamo)

Yasmeen Altaji | Oct. 18, 2022 | Photos contributed

A 66-year-old Assyrian man was shot and killed Monday night in the West Ridge neighborhood of Chicago. 

Salim Khamo, an Assyrian refugee from Iraq, was working behind the counter at his liquor store when he was killed during an attempted robbery.

“It’s a senseless act,” his son, Sinan Khamo, told The Word on the phone. “He was finally in a good spot were he’s about to retire, about to enjoy his life with his grandkids, with his family.”

Khamo was working behind the counter of J&K Food and Liquor at 6320 N. Western Ave. Monday night when a man entered armed with a handgun and demanded money, according to the Chicago Police Department (CPD). 

Police report that the offender shot Khamo in the chest, and while Khamo was able to return fire, he missed. He was transported to St. Francis Hospital in critical condition and pronounced dead later Monday night. CPD said the offender rode a bicycle to the scene, but fled on foot.

Originally from Zakho, Iraq, Salim Khamo arrived to the US in 1993 with his wife and three children, eventually settling in Des Plaines, Ill. Khamo was just two months away from retiring, according to his son.

For the family, Monday’s events were a shocking turn from what was otherwise normalcy. 

“On Saturday he came to my house, saw the grandkids, hugged them, loved them, played with them. Then he went to my sister's, hugged [her children], played with them. Sunday, he went to church…he was in a good mood and good spirits,” Sinan Khamo said. “Then, Monday night — gone.”

His wife, three children and seven grandchildren — whom his son says he adored — survive him. 

“Every day, he would call or just come see them,” Sinan Khamo said of his father’s relationship with his grandchildren. 

Even after long days working at the store, visits with his grandchildren remained a priority, his son said.

“Because he worked so hard his whole life trying to provide, he couldn't spend time with us,” Sinan Khamo said.  “He was trying to make up for it with the grandkids. He was ready just to stop here and start enjoying that. He never got to relax.”

A view of J&K Food and Liquors, located near Devon Ave. and Western Ave. in Chicago. (Credit: Google Maps, 2019)

The West Ridge neighborhood is home to a dense, tight-knit portion of Chicago's Assyrian community. Sinan Khamo said members of the community would frequent his father’s store — if not to make a purchase, then to stop by, say hello and make conversation.

“The whole neighborhood loved him,” he said. “It was all friendships, you know, over the last 20 years.”

Chicago is home to tens of thousands of Assyrians, with estimates ranging from 80,000 to 100,000, but the exact count remains unclear.

“We just want justice,” Sinan Khamo said. “This is happening a lot in our neighborhoods over here…a lot of these immigrant store owners chasing their American dreams.”

The topic of crime in the city has continuously surfaced as a subject of political discourse, namely leading up to this year’s election season. Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot has credited the city’s violence prevention programs with playing a role in a decrease in crime.

According to the Chicago Police Department, citywide robberies have increased by 17% since the same period last year. In Area Three alone, where Monday night’s incident took place, robberies have increased by 23%. 

Police are calling Monday night’s incident an attempted armed robbery, as nothing was taken from the store.

There is no one in custody as of Tuesday night. Detectives are investigating, police said.

Editor’s Note: This story was updated to reflect that Salim Khamo left Iraq as a refugee.