$10,000 Reward Offered For Tips In Murder Of Beloved Detroit Business Owner
DETROIT (WWJ) - The cash reward has been raised to $10,000 for tips in the case of a beloved longtime Detroit business owner who was gunned down at work.
Frano Juncaj of Novi died at around 9 a.m. on Sept. 1 at Detroit Coney Island, at 2626 Schaefer between S. Ethel and Bassett Street near Fort Street on the city's west side.
Police said the 58-year-old, who was "extremely well-liked" in the community, was shot one time in the chest with a semi-automatic weapon during what may have been an attempted robbery.
The shooting took place during what is usually a busy time of day; but, in a slow moment, Juncaj was met at the at the front entrance of the business by an unknown assailant,
Nothing seemed to have been taken from the restaurant, according to police, and there were no witnesses.
Detroit Police Asst. Chief Steve Dolunt, on the day of the murder called it a "senseless loss of life."
"The reason this is so disturbing is that the community is out here; they're out here crying," he told WWJ's Vickie Thomas and other reporters. "He's not a gang banger, not a dope guy, he's not a hood. He's an Albanian immigrant who came here and worked his butt off and stayed in the community."
According to Crime Stoppers, Juncaj came to the U.S. in 1975 and five years later, along with his brother, opened their family business. Members of the community say Juncaj was a charitable man who would feed you even when sometimes you were unable to pay and was known to offer what he could to those in need.
He was married for over 31 years and had two sons and one daughter. He never got to meet his first grandchild, a girl, who was born about 10 days after he was murdered.
Juncaj's oldest son, Nicholas says his father was a good-hearted, religious man. He said his family wants closure and justice to be served.
"Whoever did this, you know, is going about their business like nothing happened," he told WWJ's Zahra Huber. "So we feel that it's not really fair and we just want answers, I guess. You know, what happened? Why?"
Nicholas Juncaj said he heard there was some confrontation earlier that morning, but it's not clear if that's related.
While there have been no arrests and there are few clues in the case, police believe someone in the public may know what happened.
"I can't even imagine what it was over," he said. "It had to be something so, so...I don't even know. I mean, it just boggles my mind."
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-SPEAK-UP. Tips may also be submitted online at this link, or by texting CSM and the tip to CRIMES (2746370).
Cash rewards through Crime Stoppers are paid upon an arrest. If the tip that solves this case is received before midnight on Nov. 11 $1,000 will be added to the reward - raising the total to $11,000. All information and cash rewards through Crime Stoppers are completely anonymous.
