The State - News from April 22, 1985

An Oakland grocer who immigrated to the United States from Yemen five years ago has been formally charged with shooting a customer in an argument over a nickel. The customer, Gerald Johnson, 44, was short five cents to purchase a $1.15 bottle of wine, according to police, He was listed in critical condition with a head wound. Police said witnesses told them that store owner Noman Saleh, 29, who stands 5 feet, 4 inches, pulled a revolver from beneath the counter during the argument and shot the 6-foot-tall Johnson. According to Saleh’s brother, Mahyob, Johnson grabbed Saleh by the throat and the grocer had no other choice than to shoot.