Old Fourth Ward grocery-store owner killed, Sugar Coated Radical robbed

Police say the owner of an Old Fourth Ward grocery store was shot and killed last night shortly before closing and that, hours later, after detectives left the scene, a robbery took place in an upstairs apartment rented by Taria Camerino, the sweets chef who’s earned a following as the Sugar Coated Radical.

According to Atlanta Police, officers responded to the Banna Grocery Store near the corner of Irwin Street and Howell Street last night at approximately 10:12 p.m. and discovered the store owner, who the AJC identified as Suhrid Das, suffering from a gunshot wound to the abdomen. According to witnesses, Das was closing up the store when he was confronted and shot by a black male who then fled the scene on foot in an unknown direction. Das was transported to Grady Memorial Hospital where the shopowner, who, by all accounts was well liked, later died from his injuries.

Several hours later, another crime took place at the upstairs apartment that Camerino, whose storefront is located next to Banna Grocery, shares with her two children and partner. She writes on her Facebook wall, which has been filling up with condolences :

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Police say the suspect, who’s described as a black male in his 30s with light skin, a goatee, bald head. Police say the suspect was wearing gloves, a brown hoodie, and green pants.

Michaela of the Atlanta Underground Market, a private club which organizes regular food-tasting events at different venues across the city, is setting up a “cash mob” at the Sugar Coated Radical store at the corner of Howell and Irwin streets in Old 4th Ward on Sunday at 9 a.m. “Just buy one of her delicious pastry or chocolates,” Michaela writes in an e-blast. “I know this list is huge so we might overwhelm her, but please show them some love. They really need it right now.”