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Obituaries

Slain Dearborn Man Was "One in a Billion," Friend Says

As the community mourns the loss of Hussein Alwaily, family and friends remember the good memories.

Hussein Alwaily was an avid soccer player. A devoted brother and son. And, as longtime friend Ali Al-Sheeblawy put it, "one in a billion."

Waeli passed away just before 5 a.m. Sunday morning at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit after reportedly on Grand River Avenue during late-night drag races. He was 23.

The death has sparked much speculation—and a memorial Facebook page with more than 1,300 fans—discussing what happened to Alwaily. How he ended up at a Detroit drag race. Why he was shot. How to deal with the anger and sadness of losing a friend and family member at such a young age.

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Of the first question, Al-Sheeblawy said that taking part in the drag racing scene was "not at all typical" of Alwaily.

"He wasn't that type of guy," said 22-year-old Al-Sheeblawy, who knew Alwaily since the two attended school together at in Dearborn. They also went to together. "(Alwaily) would have his fun, but PG-13 is the most he would do. He wouldn't smoke pot, drink or all that."

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Which made the 4 a.m. Sunday phone call to friends and family of Alwaily saying that he was in the hospital being treated for gunshot wounds that much more shocking.

"I thought it had to be a joke," Al-Sheeblawy said. "So I went there and as soon as I got there, they pronounced him dead."

But Alwaily left this world surrounded by friends and family—at least 50 of them—at the hospital that morning, Al-Sheeblawy estimates.

And though details of exactly what led to Waeli being shot are still unclear, friends and family mourned him just the same with Monday and Tuesday funeral services in Dearborn. Tuesday's services came as most Muslim families celebrated Eid al-Fitr, the holiday marking the end of Ramadan.

But though Alwaily's loved ones were not celebrating the holiday, Al-Sheeblawy said they did celebrate his life.

"Of course we cried, of course we put in our tears, because he’s at peace now," he said. "But we never had a bad story about him. We stayed there until 1 or 2 a.m., just talking about all the good times we had, all the fun things."

For the two friends, that included playing soccer together for years. Last weekend, Alwaily helped his team win a championship game. Al-Sheeblawy remembers the game, like his friendship with Waeli, fondly.

"He wasn’t the greatest soccer player," he said. "He wasn’t always the best at everything, but he always had the most heart."

Donations are being accepted for the Alwaily family. Those interested in making a donation can contact Ali Al-Sheeblawy at 313-467-3150.

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