Tragedy Strikes South Austin: Suspect Charged in Fatal Robbery of Beloved Store Clerk

A pall of grief has settled over South Austin following a tragic robbery that claimed the life of a beloved convenience store clerk. Authorities have swiftly moved to apprehend and charge a suspect, bringing a glimmer of hope for justice to a community reeling from the senseless violence.

Twenty-year-old Oscar Luis Valdez now stands accused of murder in connection with the fatal shooting of 57-year-old Mohammad Z.

“Mike” Hossain. Hossain, a devoted father of three, was working at the Corner Store in the 2500 block of South Congress Avenue when his life was tragically cut short on July 23rd.

The harrowing incident unfolded when Austin police received a distress call reporting a robbery in progress. Upon arrival, officers were met with a scene of devastation: Hossain, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds, lay mortally wounded.

He was pronounced dead at the scene, leaving behind a heartbroken family and a community in shock.

Witnesses recounted a terrifying sequence of events, hearing gunshots pierce the night and observing a male figure flee the store. The suspect, described as wearing a dark hoodie, dark pants, and a surgical mask, vanished into the night, leaving investigators with a crucial but challenging trail to follow.

However, the rapid and meticulous work of Austin police soon began to piece together the puzzle.

Near the crime scene, officers discovered critical evidence: a dark handgun, discarded dark-colored pants, and a surgical mask – items believed to have been shed by the fleeing assailant. Surveillance footage from the store proved invaluable, capturing the entire brutal encounter, showing Hossain's courageous but ultimately fatal attempt to thwart the robbery before being shot multiple times.

The investigation quickly intensified, leveraging every piece of information.

Detectives painstakingly tracked the suspect's movements, including a vehicle seen leaving the area. This vehicle, a grey Chrysler 200, led them to an apartment complex. A crucial breakthrough came when investigators linked the car to a prior family violence call involving Valdez’s mother at the same address.

This connection provided a vital lead, allowing detectives to bridge the gap between the vehicle, a social media account, and eventually, Oscar Luis Valdez.

On a somber Friday, Oscar Luis Valdez was taken into custody, ending the immediate search for the individual responsible for Hossain's death.

Valdez has since been formally charged with murder, and his bond has been set at a substantial $1 million, reflecting the gravity of the charges against him.

The family of Mohammad Hossain, still grappling with their immense loss, has expressed profound grief. Mike Hossain was remembered by loved ones as a kind and dedicated man, whose life was senselessly taken.

While the legal process unfolds, the community continues to mourn the loss of one of its own, hoping that justice will ultimately prevail for Mohammad Z. “Mike” Hossain.