Devin Chandler, suspect in Palmetto double homicide, ordered held without bond

TAMPA -- Devin Chandler was brought back to Manatee County where he is being held without bond to face charges in the Labor Day slayings of two brothers in a Palmetto convenience store.

Chandler is charged with two counts of second-degree murder, one count of armed robbery with a firearm and a violation of probation. A Tampa judge ordered that he be held Thursday before he was sent back to Manatee County.

The ambush of the two brothers was caught on the store's video surveillance.

Khasem Yousef, 23, and his brother, Faares Yousef, 17, were working

at their family's convenience store, Snappy's Mart, 559 17th St. W., Palmetto, when investigators say Chandler walked into the store around 2:30 p.m. Monday, picked up one item and walked up to the counter.

Instead of paying, detectives say he reached into his pocket and pulled out a handgun, first killing the older brother, standing next to him, and then shooting the younger brother who was standing behind the counter. Both brothers were shot in the head.

Chandler then jumped on the counter and took cash from the register and cigarettes from a rack before jumping back over and leaving the store, police said.

Police were notified after a customer walked in and found the brothers' bodies.

More than 1,200 people gathered Tuesday afternoon at the Islamic Community of Tampa to recite prayers on behalf of the Yousef brothers. The funeral prayers were immediately followed by their burial, in accordance with Islamic law (known as Sharia law), which requires that a body be buried as soon as possible after death.

On Wednesday evening, a sign taped to the Snappy's Mart entrance read: "We will be closed for a couple days..."

At the foot of the door were several flower bouquets and stuffed animals, including Good Luck Bear from the Care Bears. Shrunken white and blue balloons rustled in the wind beside the memorial.

Extinguished tea light candles were also spread across the platform.

"Thoughts & prayers for your family," read a note on one bouquet. "Your neighbors at Gonzalez Auto Repair."

The U.S. Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force found Chandler's car in Tampa on Tuesday and were able to determine through surveillance where he was hiding. Chandler was arrested in a home in the 1000 block of Seneca Avenue East after marshals obtained a search warrant.

Chandler was taken to Manatee County jail Wednesday and is expected to make another first appearance before a judge in Manatee County.

-- Amaris Castillo, law enforcement/island reporter, contributed to this report.

Jessica De Leon, Herald law enforcement reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7049. You can follow her on Twitter @JDeLeon1012

This story was originally published September 10, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Devin Chandler, suspect in Palmetto double homicide, ordered held without bond ."