Francesk Shkambi
A 65-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the fatal shooting Sunday night of the manager/co-owner of Prime 7 restaurant in Commerce Township in northern Oakland County.
Francesk Shkambi, 44, was found shot on a patio outside the restaurant at 8635 Cooley Lake Rd. during a Detroit Lions watch party, WWJ reports.
Oakland County Sheriff’s deputies were called to the restaurant around 9:40 p.m. in response to the shooting.
Authorities say Shkambi was called outside to talk to a man, and that’s when he was shot, WWJ reports.
The suspect, a resident of Farmington Hills, turned himself in about 20 minutes after the shooting. Detectives recovered the handgun, which had been reported stolen, WWJ reports.
Metro Detroit Crime Report dentified the suspect as Tonin Pjetri, 65.
Shkambi’s niece and nephew tell CBS Detroit the suspect was a friend of their uncle’s.
“It was a friend,” nephew Mark Gjura tells the station. “He’s come here and had dinner with us in the past, and during the Lions game, I got a call from friends saying there was a shooting at Prime 7 because I used to work there, and my mom comes down, ‘It’s Franco, it’s Franco,’ and then we rushed to the hospital all together as a family.”
Charlie Langton of WWJ reports that Shkambi was set free following a commutation of his sentence in December 2024 from President Joe Biden. He was convicted in 2013 of conspiracy to possess and distribute cocaine, heroin, marijuana, and ecstasy.
Shkambi's Facebook page says he's originally from Shkodër, Albania.
The Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce issued a statement:
“The Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce is deeply saddened by the passing of Francesk ‘Franco’ Shkambi, owner of Prime 7 Bar & Restaurant. This is a tragic loss for the Lakes Area community and our hearts go out to Franco’s family, friends, and dedicated staff at Prime 7 during this incredibly difficult time.
“Franco was known for his generosity, warmth, and genuine commitment to supporting the community he served. His presence made a meaningful impact, and he will be profoundly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.”