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Yusuf Ahmed-Ibrahim was convicted of fatally shooting Sawsan Toma, 42, and Yvette Gutierrez, 31, inside the Wadee Smoke Shop in the 3900 block of South 12th Avenue on Nov. 13, 2022. Family members said Toma was close friends with Ahmed-Ibrahim, and they remain perplexed that someone so close to their family would kill someone he supposedly loved.

Ahmed-Ibrahim maintained his innocence during the hour-long sentencing hearing, while expressing condolences to the families.

“He feels for the family and he’s sad that they’re gone, but he did not do this crime,” his attorney said, speaking for her client, who used an Arabic translator. “He looks forward to the appellate process.”

Prosecutors said Toma and Ahmed-Ibrahim were business partners at the smoke shop and were friends. He had been to her house for family meals and was someone her children looked up to.

“I’m here today to speak for her because she can’t speak for herself,” one of Toma’s sons said, addressing the court to make a victim impact statement. His words brought tears to the audience of the victims’ supporters. “While nothing will bring her back, knowing he’s held accountable is the only peace for my family.”

Family members said Gutierrez was a customer at the shop when she and Toma were locked inside and later “executed” by Ahmed-Ibrahim.

Toma’s son said the image of his mother, lying dead and cold on the floor, will be seared in his mind as the final memory he has of the woman who was his “world”.

“In one moment, she was taken from me. What he did changed everything. The birthdays she won’t be at, the hugs we won’t receive, my family will carry this pain forever. She will never hug me when I’m lost and hurting. Every moment from now on we’ll be missing her,” he said.

Gutierrez, who was a mother to nine children, was six weeks pregnant when she was killed, the autopsy showed.

Her father, Gil Gutierrez, continues to mourn his firstborn daughter and was one of many family members who lashed out against Ahmed-Ibrahim after the hearing.

Ahmed-Ibrahim angrily rose from his seat and hollered back in English as loved ones were ushered out of the courtroom in an effort to avoid further confrontation.