Sleiman "Pops" Hallak, a beloved shopkeeper in San Diego, California, was tragically killed on April 17, 1996. Hallak owned the Moonlight Market at Skyline and Meadowbrook, where he was well-known and respected in the community. On that fateful day, Hallak was working at the store counter, attending to a cigarette dealer, when a masked gunman entered the store. The assailant, later identified as Charzel Shears, demanded money from Hallak.
When Hallak did not respond quickly enough, Shears shot him multiple times, resulting in his death. Shears also fired at two other men present in the store, a cigar salesman and an employee, but they were not injured.
The case remained unsolved for many years, causing significant distress to Hallak's family and the local community. However, in 2013, Charzel Shears was finally brought to justice. Shears, who was 19 years old at the time of the crime, was convicted by a jury of one count of murder with the special circumstance of robbery, two counts of premeditated attempted murder, and using a gun in the commission of these offenses. The conviction came more than 17 years after the murder, providing a sense of closure to Hallak's family.
During the trial, it was revealed that Shears had entered the Moonlight Market wearing a ski mask and armed with a gun. He demanded money from Hallak and, upon not receiving an immediate response, shot him three times. Shears then stole money from the register and a handgun from the store before fleeing the scene. The long-awaited conviction was a significant moment for Hallak's family, who had endured years of uncertainty and grief. Shears was sentenced to three life terms plus 18 years in state prison, ensuring that he would spend the rest of his life behind bars.
The sentencing of Charzel Shears was seen as a measure of justice for the victim's family and the community. San Diego District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis emphasized that while nothing could bring back the life of Sleiman "Pops" Hallak, the prison sentence held Shears accountable for his crimes. The case highlighted the persistent efforts of law enforcement and the judicial system to bring closure to cold cases and deliver justice for victims and their families.
