Father of 3 found shot to death in unincorp. Lombard driveway; murder investigation underway

A husband and father of three was found shot and killed in the driveway of a west suburban home Monday night, family and police said Tuesday.

Alaa Ghnimat, 38, of unincorporated Lombard was found dead about 9:30 p.m. in the area of 16th Street and Meyers Road.

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DuPage County sheriff's deputies found him unresponsive, with a gunshot wound, in a vehicle in the driveway of his home, after responding to reports of a shooting in the area.

The coroner also responded, and the vehicle was towed for further investigation.

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Family said Ghnimat was a longtime mechanic and had lived at the home for two years. Buying the home had been a dream, family said.

"All he wanted to do was work and come home and be with his family. And it's just a shame how somebody will come and take his life," said Mohammad, Ghnimat's brother-in-law.

He moved to the Chicago area from Palestine 18 years ago.

Ghnimat's son said he was on the phone with him, when he heard the gunshots.

He came outside to find his father murdered in their car.

"I'm devastated. It's unexpected," he said. "I just feel horrible. I wish I could have done something about it."

Shattered glass remains on the ground, where relatives gathered outside the home Tuesday.

"He turned off the car, and I was just talking with him. He was laughing, and then I just heard, I thought it was firecrackers. But, I go outside to check on him, and I see that. I told my mom to go inside, and I tried to call the police as fast as I can," said Ghnimat's son, who did not want to be identified.

Police are looking at security video, which shows at least one gunman running away.

A motive is still under investigation.

Anyone with information on the murder investigation is asked to call the DuPage County Sheriff's Office at 630-407-2343.