A Routine Day Ends in Gunfire (Image Credits: Cwbchicago.com)
Little Village, Chicago – A man accused of killing a father and son at their neighborhood jewelry store last fall had skipped court in two felony cases and remained wanted for a prior shooting, prosecutors announced this week.[1]
A Routine Day Ends in Gunfire
On November 8, 2025, customers visited Angelo’s Jewelry at 3851 West 26th Street without suspecting danger. Muhammad Thomas, 35, arrived around noon in a white Maserati Levante. He tried on gold necklaces and chains, chatted with store operator Fino Alamo Dominguez, 63, and lingered outside eyeing a display case.
Hours later, near 5:45 p.m., Thomas returned wearing a Chicago Blackhawks sweatshirt and accompanied by two juveniles, one a relative. He buzzed the door, propped it open with a cellphone, snatched two chains, and bolted. Luis Alamo, 25, Fino’s son and co-operator, pursued him into the street. Fino, armed with a handgun, followed close behind.
Thomas drew his own weapon and fired, first hitting Luis in the leg. As Luis raised his hands, Thomas shot him again, fatally. Fino fired back. Thomas returned fire, and the juvenile relative discharged shots that struck and killed Fino. Thomas escaped in the Maserati, which someone later torched on North Mobile Avenue.
Thomas’s Trail of Prior Crimes
Investigators uncovered a pattern of violence in Thomas’s background. He faced active felony charges from multiple incidents when the jewelry store killings occurred. Prosecutors highlighted his status as AWOL from two cases and a fugitive in a third.
Key prior offenses included:
- A July 28, 2023, carjacking attempt in the 1700 block of West Maypole Avenue, where Thomas allegedly shot a 26-year-old man in the thigh after demanding his wallet and keys.
- A July 16, 2024, burglary and robbery at a pawnshop in the 2300 block of West Cermak Road, during which Thomas smashed a display case and stole over $23,000 in jewelry; his blood at the scene provided DNA evidence.
- A January 12, 2024, arrest for possession and manufacturing of a controlled substance plus resisting police; Thomas failed to appear in court after release.
- An outstanding warrant in Lake County from a 2021 stolen vehicle case.
Thomas also carried two prior convictions for aggravated battery.
Evidence Seals the Case
Prosecutors presented a mountain of forensic links during court proceedings. Nine.45-caliber shell casings, three 9mm casings, bullet fragments, and a discarded gold chain marked the scene. Fingerprints and DNA from door swabs and the burned Maserati’s gas cap matched Thomas.
Cellular records and surveillance video captured his movements. Juveniles arrested days later on unrelated charges identified him. Ballistics tied the recovered handguns – a.45 and 9mm – to the shooting. Assistant State’s Attorney Mike Pekara laid out the connections methodically.[1]
From Fugitive to Custody
U.S. Marshals tracked Thomas to a St. Louis hotel on January 30, 2026. They seized two handguns matching the crime scene weapons, a fully automatic rifle equipped with a switch and drum magazine, ammunition, face coverings, gloves, and a bag containing cash and jewelry.
Judge Rivanda Doss Beal ordered him detained pending trial on two counts of first-degree murder. The case marked Thomas as the 23rd person accused that year of a fatal shooting while on pretrial release.
Key Takeaways
- Muhammad Thomas evaded two felony court dates and remained wanted for a 2023 shooting at the time of the murders.
- Forensic evidence, including DNA, fingerprints, and ballistics, overwhelmingly tied him to the Little Village scene.
- The incident underscores ongoing debates around pretrial release policies in Cook County.
This tragedy shattered a family business and raised fresh scrutiny on criminal justice practices. Families in Little Village continue to grieve the Alamo Dominguez father and son. What steps should reform pretrial release to prevent such outcomes? Share your thoughts in the comments.Details from CWB Chicago.
