Owner of Gyro House Murdered [Updated 2x]

• Just so you know, I was a witness to this crime. I saw the blood on my car that evening and everything happered. It was a black man that did this and to read all the ingorants posts that you people have to put on here is a disgrace. I sense sarcasm, but some person went out of their way to try and help find the killer. Obviousy this person lived in the complex and could have been seen by anyone. This person put themself in a large amount of danger just reporting the information to the police.

• I am so angry & sad, just read bout this in RFT, knew Ahmed since I was a kid. My cousin, George Loumpos owned Zorba the Greek back in the 80's when it was next door to the Tivoli, Ahmed worked their with my Dad. We used to help clean dishes after my Mom & Dad got divorced, he had us on the weekends. Ahmed was the nicest guy, always smiling, was happy to see old friends. So bummed out right now. Miss him...

• No black man did this; not w/o an Iranian behind him!! Come on?! Black male, left-handed, t-shirt, dreads, doo-rag, in MAPLEWOOD?!?! He was set-up!!! Start looking at who would have the motivation as well as the resources to do this...

• I've been going to the Gyros House for 16 yrs. and tonight will be my last time because I am moving out of St. Louis. I haven't gone since Ahmed was killed but I'm doing so tonight in his memory, and mine, because he was a very decent person (plus his food was amazing). He always treated my wife and I as valued people and was an excellent person. I will miss him.

• If you are looking for the Gyro House, you can head down to 6152 Delmar across from the Pageant and get the same gyro that I have made since I learned from Ahmed nearly 20 years ago. Look for me on Saturdays http://www.stlouisgyrohouse.com/

• What's really sad is that the police probably won't put into this investigation too much effort and the people responsible won't be brought to justice.

• Back in the mid 80's I spent one year in St. Louis, and it happened to be in u-city and one of the best years of my life, playing pickup soccer with Ahmad and others, and the occasional nosh at his place. Thanks for all that Ahmad, and RIP to a fine man.

• I used to eat at ahmads place five days a week. Ahmad and his food were both out of this world. He was a good man. I enjoyed knowing him. I have realized that he is in a better place. I pray to god to grant him mercy and let him enter eternal heaven.

• I used to eat at ahmads place five days a week. Ahmad and his food were both out of this world. He was a good man. I enjoyed knowing him. I have realized that he is in a better place. I pray to god to grant him mercy and let him enter eternal heaven.

• This is so sad, my boyfriend and I have been going here for years, sort of a tradition...we will miss you!

• I just learned of this horrible crime and must say the world has lost a great man! I have known Ahmed Since the early days at Zorba's and will miss him next time I come into town.

• You know I knew Ahmed since I was 15 and I'm almost 30 now. I hope to dear God they catch this S.O.B. that did this. I wear my Gyro House shirt proudly and have had one in active rotation since forever. The Jumbo Gyro will forever be a classic in STL cuisine and I still boast to this day that they are best in the world and gone through a lot Gyros in a lot of cities to say so...Who knew the best would be right in my hometown! oh and another note, I'm black and have long dreads and have dealt with unnecessary racism from police, however I don't think this is the forum to vent about local racism..It's there and we all know it...but if you really want to do something about racism take it to the city council meeting won't you. thanks

• You know I knew Ahmed since I was 15 and I'm almost 30 now. I hope to dear God they catch this S.O.B. that did this. I wear my Gyro House shirt proudly and have had one in active rotation since forever. The Jumbo Gyro will forever be a classic in STL cuisine and I still boast to this day that they are best in the world and gone through a lot Gyros in a lot of cities to say so...Who knew the best would be right in my hometown! oh and another note, I'm black and have long dreads and have dealt with unnecessary racism from police, however I don't think this is the forum to vent about local racism..It's there and we all know it...but if you really want to do something about racism take it to the city council meeting won't you. thanks

• Man, this is terrible. This mans food made my high school career so much more enjoyable. The memories I have connected to his food are unmistakably golden and he will be missed. Every time I ordered the Jumbo it would be as "the best gyro in town please". I hope that he moved on knowing that he made hundred of people happy.

• What a tragedy!!! (Tim, so nice to see your comment here.) I grew up eating at Zorba's/the Gyros House and it is one of my favorite U. City places -- part of the real old school Loop. Ahmed was such a U. City staple, always friendly... my deep condolences to his family and friends.

• Ahmed, I will miss you!!! I've been going to the gyro house when it was Zorba by the Tivoli....when you're mother (I think) would bring the order to my table. I got a lot of my friends to go to you're place!!! I would tell them your place had the best gyros in the WORLD!!!! and they would always challenge me on it but then after they came to your place they would always say I'm right!!! One night I ran into Ahmed at Bluberry hill -at the bar and we said hi to eachother and he bought me a drink (I felt special) and I always felt like I owed him a round and always looked for him every time i went to BBH....but I guess I ran out of time......he was so awesome!!!

• My prayers are with Ahmed's family. I am so sorry for your loss. I pray that faith and the kind words and sympathy of so many will bring you comfort during this difficult time.

• My husband and I have known Ahmed for 25 years. He was a wonderful person. We have been coming to The Gyros House since it opened. My family and I have practically grown up in this restaurant. I was gone out of town and just learned of this tragedy. We saw the story on the news tonight and wept. My husband and I went to the restaurant on all our special occasions to share them with Ahmed-birthdays, anniversaries. It was our childrens favorite spot to go also on their birthdays. My youngest daughter wanted to go there on her upcoming birthday. I cannot put in words how sad my family feels about losing Ahmed. He was so kind to us, always joking with us when we came in. He would see us walk in and automatically start making our order..he would tease with my husband because he always told Ahmed "heavy on the lamb". He always gave me free desserts on my birthday and anniversary. Ahmed made the best jumbos in the world. I want his family to know how we will miss him and how much we enjoyed his friendship. I hope the restaurant stays, but it will never be the same. I am saying a prayer that they will catch the monster that did this quickly and he will be justly punished.

• I just learned from a friend of mine that Eltawmi was shot dead. Although i don't live in the state anymore my condolences goes to his family, and to all those who enjoyed this man company at his tiny Gyro place. RIP Eltawmi

• I've grown up in the Loop, been eating the Gyro House for years, been eating G-House at WashU and was even able to deliver produce to them in high school. Ahmed always greeted you coming in, said thanks when you left, and was a generous tipper back when I was doing deliveries. He was one helluva guy. I'm out of StL for the summer and sadly cannot be around to pay my respects, but Gyro House is the first place I'll be going when I get back...the Loop misses you.

• Thank you Mehmet for encouraging 'ohmy' to be a better person....as a black person I am offended by 'ohmy's comment---the police are racist and treat black people horribly in America, definitely in St. Louis, but, for that to be the comment you decide to write in regards to everything that happened in this story--shame on you.

• What a terrible and senseless death. Contributing cultural cuisine is at times an underappreciated art form. Gyros in the loop go back to the Zorba days and Ahmed was carrying on a wonderful tradition. I can only hope that his family can find some peace and make ends meet. I will visit Gyro House with a sad heart the next time I visit. RIP ohmy - You give activists a bad name. Grow up.

• To Ohmy: Perhaps you might consider being at least considerate of the dead and of those who held him dear, rather than lamenting the possible short lived inconvenience of police questions. Remember that death is a far more permanent thing than a traffic stop. Indeed, stereotyping and profiling are negative consequences of such random violence, but they are no more destructive and divisive than your obvious lack of tact or concern for the dead. I knew this man in only a small way, but I know he was a man who was respected and loved by many, and as a Libyan, I am sure he faced his fair share of discrimination and distrust throughout his life. Perhaps you might think about such things before you speak.

• Ahmed taught me to cut gyros, to take pride in my work, to respect others, that everyone's order is worth remembering, how to land on my backside while playing soccer, to cook Libyan pasta, to appreciate hot sauce and many other things as I knew him over half of my life. What you have shared with me Ahmed El-Tawmi I will share with others. Memorial Gathering for Ahmed El-Tawmi Tonight, Monday 7, 2010 7:00 at the Gyro House I will be there cutting gyro as he taught me.

• I really feel sorry for every black man in St Louis with dreads or long hair...which happens to be the majority. As if they didn't just come out with the statistics about blacks being pulled over for no reason being at a high in St Louis. Now it's going to be even higher.

TotalComments: 25