A neighborhood demands justice for murdered Detroit restaurant owner

DETROIT - There were prayers for peace and pleas for justice. More than a hundred people met in the Coney Island Detroit parking lot, after restaurant owner Franco Juncaj was gunned down Thursday morning.

"We laughed together, we cried together," said Denise Curry, an employee.

Curry worked at the restaurant for more than 20 years and says Frank - as he was known - watched her children grow up

"I started praying 'Lord, you find out who killed this man.' This was a stand up man, a stand up husband, a stand up father, and a stand up friend."

For many who attended, Frank was more like family. He ran the restaurant for more than 30 years. Many knew him just as long.

"These were good people to our community. I was a kid - 14 years old when I started coming here," said a long-time customer. "Today I'm 45 years old and it's a part of my heart,  like I lost somebody in my family."

Police say Frank may have been gunned down in an attempted robbery after the restaurant's morning rush. He had a habit of moving from behind the protection of the bulletproof glass while working. Many people believe he may have known his killer

"That's what hurts the most, because he was very trustworthy," said another patron. "He was trusting of everybody. He had that door open he was a very personable person."

His kind nature was evidenced in the massive turnout Friday night, but hardly anyone was under the illusion this would be enough to affect change.

"It's nice that everybody is here showing love and support for Frank and his family," said Detective Dasumo Mitchell of the River Rouge Police Department. "But we can continue to have all these candlelight vigils and stop the violence rallies. It's not going to change until we as a people start speaking up and reporting crime that occurs in our community."

If you have any informationthat could help police solve the case please call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-SPEAK UP. You can remain anonymous.