A Tarrant County jury has convicted 29-year-old Albert Gonzalez of capital murder after he gunned down a game room clerk during a robbery in 2021. The Tarrant County District Attorney's Office shared that Gonzalez was sentenced to life in prison without parole for the murder of Mahmoud Ghanim. This ruling came on Wednesday, nearly four years following the fatal robbery at the 5D Smoke Shop and Game Room on Altamesa Boulevard.
According to reports about the events of March 4, 2021, Gonzalez and his accomplice, Renay Juan Moreno, were dropped off at the location with a plan to rob patrons at the establishment. Once inside, Gonzalez brandished a firearm and pointed it at 37-year-old Ghanim. Despite Ghanim's attempt to push the gun away, Gonzalez shot him in the torso, resulting in his death. After the act, the duo looted the game room, taking money and cell phones, including cash from Ghanim's pockets and a bag of money from the storefront.
The aftermath of the crime saw Gonzalez, Moreno, and their getaway driver, Suzann Meranda Aleman, fleeing the scene. Aleman drove them back to their hotel, where the stolen money was divided. Following the verdict, Moreno and Aleman now face charges of capital murder in connection with Ghanim's death. The Tarrant County DA's Office extended a note of gratitude to Investigator Danny Nutt and Victim Advocate Laura Medina for their contributions to the case and to the Fort Worth Police Department for their dedication to securing justice for the victim and the community at large.
