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Beaumont restaurant reopens after deadly officer-involved shooting

Al Basha's Beaumont location is back to normal business hours after officer- involved shooting

BEAUMONT, Texas — Al Basha Mediterranean Restaurant reopened Friday the day after a burglar was shot inside by a Beaumont police officer early Thursday morning. 

Brittany Hraiz one of the owners of Al Basha says the last 24 hours have been stressful. She's looking to move forward after her restaurant was the scene of Beaumont's second officer-involved shooting in just over five weeks.

The previous officer-involved shooting at a motel adjacent to the restaurant in early October.

"Gotta keep on going. can't give up, don't let a criminal stop you, so never give up,"  Hraiz said. "We're just so thankful, we're so thankful that they caught him when they did it could been a lot worse had they not showed up when they did."

RELATED: Two officers on administrative leave after officer-involved shooting at restaurant near I-10

RELATED: Beaumont Police officer shoots, kills burglary suspect at I-10 restaurant

Beaumont Police identified as Kennith Hooker. He was shot and killed by an officer inside of the restaurant, after police said he tried to attack them with a 14-inch screw driver.

Credit: Orange County Sheriff's Office
Kennith Waynon Hooker, 52

"This is a traumatic incident for our officers. there's not an officer out here that wants to hurt somebody or take somebody's life," Beaumont police Jimmy Singletary said. 

Hooker had been arrested more than a dozen times over the years with offenses ranging from burglary to robbery charges. 

Hraiz is just grateful that only one life was lost.

"We're just so thankful, we're so thankful that they caught him when they did it could been a lot worse had they not showed up when they did," Hraiz said. 

she says the decision to re-open had everything to do with support that has  been shown.

"We have very loyal customers. we appreciate all the phone calls, text messages and even stopping by," Hraiz said. 

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