WEST BLOOMFIELD, Mich. – Inside the grotto behind St. Thomas Chaldean church in West Bloomfield, a family is given strength through prayer, during a time of overwhelming grief.
It's a candle light vigil is in honor of a man who was a husband, father of seven and friend to so many. A West Bloomfield man, Samir Hannawa, who just days ago was shot and killed in broad daylight.
"He was the most caring dad, the most loving dad, the most hard working person; I've ever had the privilege of knowing. I love him with all my heart," says Hannawa's daughter Valentena.
Hannawa worked in Detroit managing a retail store. On Wednesday he stopped at Great Lakes transmissions to check on a car he dropped off earlier. Investigators say as Hannawa knocked on the door, two men approached him, and one of them shot him in the chest. They didn't rob him of his money or jewelry, but robbed a family of a loved one.
"That's probably the hardest thing I'm going to miss, his smile and his laugh," said Athraa Hannawa, Hannawa's oldest child.
It's the memories and the prayers that keep them hopeful that those responsible for Hannawa's murder will be found.
Valentena told Local 4, "We've been suffering so much right now we just need some information, anything that will help lead to the killers, that would help so much.
Crime Stoppers has increased its reward for information leading to an arrest to $5,000. The Chaldean Community Foundation has established a scholarship fund for Hannawa's seven children.