Business owner gunned down in his store: Was he taken advantage of due to his kindness?

MILWAUKEE -- A Milwaukee business owner was gunned down early on Sunday morning, April 24th inside his store on Dr. Martin Luther King Drive near 7th Street during an armed robbery.

It happened around 1:00 a.m. inside "Tanji Foods."

Chaabane Tandji

Police have identified the victim as 39-year-old Chaabane Tandji.

Police arrested two suspects -- a 27-year-old Milwaukee man and a 22-year-old Milwaukee woman.

FOX6 News has learned Tandji owned several convenience stores in the Milwaukee area. All day long on Monday, April 25th, customers stopped by the store on MLK to pay their respects to a man they considered giving and hard-working.

"In Milwaukee, things like this happen daily," Khaled Tanji said.

But Khaled Tanji never thought such a tragedy would impact his family. Chaabane Tandji was Khaled Tanji's cousin.

Chaabane Tandji gunned down during robbery of his store at MLK and 7th Street

"Something really hard to believe. Some bad people got him, come to him and like, they saw some money and they killed him," Tanji said.

The loss has struck a chord with many in the community who say Tandji was more than just a business owner -- but a confidant.

Chaabane Tandji gunned down during robbery of his store at MLK and 7th Street

"He was a good guy. Why take him? To me, it was senseless. I sit and chat with him all the time, drink coffee, stuff like that in the morning," Terry Moore, Tandji's friend and customer said.

"He was a very nice guy, good heart, no hate, no problem. He was ready to welcome everybody.  When you go to the store and you find poor people, he is welcoming them -- lets them sit in the store, drink soda, lets them make a phone call, chips, snacks. If you cant pay, pay later. Bad people take advantage of this," Tanji said.

Chaabane Tandji gunned down during robbery of his store at MLK and 7th Street

The investigation into this fatal shooting is ongoing and MPD will present the case against the two suspects to the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office in the coming days for charges.

Tandji's family members told FOX6 News there is surveillance video from this crime, and they hope that leads to convictions and lengthy prison sentences.

Chaabane Tandji gunned down during robbery of his store at MLK and 7th Street

This fatal shooting was Milwaukee's 34th homicide this year.

Chaabane Tandji gunned down during robbery of his store at MLK and 7th Street

Loved ones gathered at the scene to remember Chaabane Tandji on Monday evening.

Vigil for Chaabane Tandji