An Albanian man who was pardoned under a major clemency package signed by President Joe Biden has been shot dead outside his own restaurant in Commerce Township, Michigan.

44-year-old Francesk Shkambi, a manager and co-owner of the Prime 7 restaurant, was killed around 9:30 p.m. on Sunday night after being called outside by a man he knew. Police say the suspected shooter — 65-year-old Tonin Pjetri, a longtime acquaintance — surrendered to authorities roughly twenty minutes later. A stolen 9mm handgun believed to have been used in the killing was recovered at the scene.

Shkambi, originally from Albania, had a complex legal past. Public records show he was sentenced in 2014 to 27 years in federal prison for leading a drug trafficking ring that smuggled narcotics into the United States. In late 2024, he was released after being included in a clemency list signed by President Biden, part of a sweeping program that reduced or pardoned sentences for around 1,500 individuals, many convicted on drug-related charges. His case drew controversy in some U.S. media outlets at the time.

Authorities say Shkambi and the shooter had a prior personal dispute, though the exact motive remains unclear. Family members told CBS Detroit that Pjetri had even dined with Shkambi in the past. “He was a friend,” said his nephew, Mark Gjura, who rushed to the hospital after learning of the shooting. “We were shocked. He used to come here and eat with us.”

Just weeks before his death, Shkambi had launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds for the legal defense of Elvis and Gjon Shkambi, identifying himself as a close relative. The campaign had collected over $8,000.

The killing has left the local community stunned. Prime 7 announced an immediate closure following the incident, while colleagues described Shkambi as calm, hardworking, and deeply dedicated to his family and business.

Police in Michigan say the investigation remains ongoing.