Man Charged in Double Murder at Chicago Jewelry Store Hospitalized Ahead of Hearing

Suspect Arrested, Faces Felony Charges

Muhammad Thomas, 35, has been arrested and charged with felony first-degree murder and felony armed robbery in connection with the November killings of Faustino Alamo Dominguez, 63, and his son Luis Alamo, 25. The father and son were fatally shot outside their Southwest Side jewelry store, Joyeria Angelos, on November 8. Thomas was apprehended at a hotel in St. Louis and subsequently extradited to Chicago.

Hospitalization Delays Pre-Trial Hearing

Thomas was scheduled for a pre-trial detention hearing in Chicago on Friday. However, officials stated in court that he has been hospitalized due to a medication issue and narcotics withdrawal. Under the SAFE-T Act, a formal hearing cannot proceed until the suspect is present in court. The hearing is now anticipated to take place on March 3, provided Thomas is healthy enough to be released from the hospital.

Tragic Incident Captured on Video

The shooting occurred around 5:45 p.m. in the Little Village neighborhood. Surveillance video shows a masked man entering the family-owned jewelry store. Approximately 30 seconds later, the suspect fled with merchandise, pursued by the father and son. The suspect then reportedly fired shots. Prosecutors indicated that one of the victims fired back with a legally licensed weapon, and a juvenile inside the getaway vehicle also discharged a firearm, hitting one of the victims.

Community Mourns and Seeks Justice

Agustin Alamo, a nephew and cousin of the victims, described Faustino Alamo Dominguez and Luis Alamo as 'pillars of the community.' He expressed profound grief and devastation over the loss, stating, 'We were begging, we were literally praying that justice needs to be served.' He also conveyed deep gratitude for the community's outpouring of love, support, and encouragement during this difficult time, emphasizing, 'And justice will be served.'

Suspect's Criminal History

Authorities reported that Thomas has an extensive criminal history dating back to 2007, including multiple charges for armed robbery and gun offenses. He is also facing charges related to a 2023 shooting that left a 26-year-old man seriously injured.

Juvenile Accomplice Identified

The juvenile who was in the getaway vehicle has since been arrested for a separate crime and reportedly assisted authorities in identifying Thomas as the suspect in the jewelry store double murder.