Asim Musa, a 41-year-old male, had built a life for himself in Syracuse, New York, after immigrating from Sudan. For 14 years, he was known as a hardworking and dedicated man, pursuing his version of the American Dream. His life was tragically cut short on the evening of December 19, 2018, during an attempted armed robbery at Eddie's Eagle Market, where he was an employee.
The violent encounter that ended his life began when a masked individual entered the store brandishing a handgun.
A struggle ensued between Musa and the armed man, spilling out onto the sidewalk in front of the market. During this confrontation, a second young man approached and fatally shot Musa in the back. Despite being rushed to a nearby hospital, Asim Musa was pronounced dead shortly after his arrival. The senseless act of violence sent ripples through the community, leaving friends and family to mourn a man they described as courageous and full of integrity. His death highlighted the devastating impact of gun violence on families and the community at large.
The investigation into Musa's murder led Syracuse police to two 18-year-old suspects, Troy Derby and Stanley Sawyer. Investigators identified Derby as the mastermind behind the attempted robbery and the one who fired the fatal shot that killed Musa. Both teenagers were arrested and faced the judicial system for their roles in the tragic death of Asim Musa. The case brought some measure of closure to Musa's grieving family as the legal process moved forward to hold the responsible parties accountable for their actions.
In the ensuing court proceedings, Troy Derby was convicted for his central role in the murder. He was sentenced to a term of 25 years to life in prison for first-degree murder. In addition to the murder sentence, Derby also received a concurrent sentence of 15 years with five years of post-release supervision for criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree. Stanley Sawyer was also arrested in connection with the incident that led to Asim Musa's death.
