Kentwood Man Killed In Shooting Was Due In Court Next Week On Charges From Marijuana Dispensary Raid

[bobandtorey]

KENTWOOD, MI - Standing in front of her family’s Kentwood home, Sanah Yassin struggled to make sense of the death of her cousin, Rick Hammad, who was shot and killed late Friday in Grand Rapids.

She described Hammad, 42, as a loving, family man with an infectious smile, generous spirit and optimistic outlook on life.

“This is, as you can imagine, an incredible shock for our family,” said Yassin, 24, of Chicago. “It’s really difficult to process. We’re trying to support each other and rely on God and our trust in God. We hope that that is what will carry us through this tragedy.”

Few details were available Saturday on the circumstances surrounding the death of Hammad – who was due in court next week on charges stemming from his alleged involvement in a medical marijuana dispensary, Purple Med.

Related: Kentwood man fatally shot Friday night on Grand Rapids’ Southeast Side

The Grand Rapids Police Department said officers responded to a report of a “man down” around 11:50 p.m. Friday near the intersection of Dickinson Street and Linden Avenue SE.

When authorities arrived on scene, they discovered Hammad had been shot and was lying on the ground outside his vehicle. He was taken to Mercy Health Saint Mary's, where he died of his injuries, police said.

Hammad was facing several charges in Kent County Circuit Court involving the delivery or manufacture of a controlled substance and maintaining a drug house, records show.

The charges stem from Hammad’s alleged involvement in Purple Med, a medical marijuana dispensary on Plainfield Avenue raided by police in April. Hammad was scheduled to be in court on Sept. 25 for a status conference where he may have received a plea offer from the prosecutor, according to court records.

Hammad’s family declined to discuss his legal troubles. But they stressed any run-ins with the law shouldn't overshadow the positive aspects of his life.

Born in Kuwait, Hammad had three children – Haya, 11; Musa,9; and Yousif, 2. His wife, Randa, 31, is six-months pregnant with another child, his family said.

Rick Kader, another cousin, said Hammad didn’t have any enemies and was the kind of person who would help out anyone.

“He was a very joyful man,” he said. “He had a smile on his face all the time.”

[pic book]

...'drug house' does not mean weed house...

[Chauncy Gardner]

Is it my imagination, or do news people always tend to put the worst possible spin on any incidents even remotely involving marijuana?

[bobandtorey]

i think it's the same person Doctor Bob was talking about in his post

 

http://michiganmedicalmarijuana.org/topic/44439-denali-healthcare-family-loses-member/

Edited September 23, 2013 by bobandtorey

[Dr. Bob]

Yes it is.  He was part of the dispensary round up after the voters decriminalized it in GR.  3 of the 4 charges were dropped without him coming to court and the 4th was on the way out this week according to our conversation Friday night.  I didn't do certs at the dispensary, but he had several businesses.

 

Dr. Bob

[bobandtorey]

Yes it is.  He was part of the dispensary round up after the voters decriminalized it in GR.  3 of the 4 charges were dropped without him coming to court and the 4th was on the way out this week according to our conversation Friday night.  I didn't do certs at the dispensary, but he had several businesses.

 

Dr. Bob

They are going to drop all the charges against the others because he passed away?

[Dr. Bob]

They are going to drop all the charges against the others because he passed away?

No idea.  That was an outside issue I wasn't involved in.

 

Dr. Bob

[abe supercro]

If this incident isn't a pure coincidence, an investigation will bring more to light than a bystanders deduction at this early point.

Edited September 23, 2013 by abe supercro

[Dr. Bob]

If this incident isn't a pure coincidence, an investigation will bring more to light more than a bystanders deduction at this early point.

Agree.  In any event, it doesn't change the outcome or my response to it.  If there was any wrong doing, we have courts and police to deal with it.  Gunning a man down on the street is never alright.

 

Dr. Bob

[outsideinthecold]

Maintaining a drug house and manufacturing a controlled substance definitely does include perceived MMJ offenses.

[abe supercro]

'alleged' doesn't make it so. thought many of us already 'get' that message,,

[hippyterrylee]

@hippyterrylee  ev        I just want everyone to know, Rick was a wonderful  friend!!!   A  GREAT  PERSON, with a great heart...

 

                                             BAD THINGS HAPPEN TO GOOD  PEOPE!!!!

 

                                              ONLY THE GOOD DIE  YOUNG...

 

                                   GOING TO HIS  SHOWING  TONIGHT....GOD  BLESS  ALL  OF  US...

[Dr. Bob]

I agree, I am in Indian River tonight, too many hours away.  But I'll be there in spirit.

 

Dr. Bob

[MissAlaska]

Rick Hammad is survived by his wife (pregnant) and his 3 young children... He is greatly missed and was such a wonderful caring soul on this earth. A memorial fund has been set up to help his family. Any help is greatly appreciated! Thank you!

-MissAlaska

 

 

https://www.facebook.com/RickHammadMemorialFund