Manal Mustafa Abdul Abdelaziz, a 60-year-old male, was tragically shot and killed during an apparent armed robbery at his convenience store, Tobacco Brothers Minit Shop, in Lumberton, North Carolina, on November 30, 2019. The incident occurred around 2:49 a.m. when Abdelaziz had just closed the store for the night. His body was discovered by police officers responding to a call in front of the business.
An autopsy was scheduled to confirm the cause of death.
This tragic event marked the third major loss for Abdelaziz's family. In January 2016, his 3-year-old son, Manal Abdelaziz Jr., known as Cash, accidentally shot himself with a 9mm handgun that was kept hidden behind the counter at the store. A mural in honor of the child adorns the wall on the side of the store. Additionally, about a month after the child's death, Abdelaziz's wife, Evelina Dial, was found dead in some woods behind a home in Maxton, North Carolina. A man named Timothy Wade Locklear was charged with first-degree murder, attempted first-degree rape, burning personal property, and altering and destroying evidence in connection to her death.
Following the robbery and murder of Manal Abdelaziz, the suspect stole his red pickup truck and approximately $550. Lavern Moody, a nearby resident, reported hearing what he believed were gunshots around the time of the incident. Lumberton police have been seeking assistance from the public to identify Abdelaziz's killer. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the investigators.
The community has been deeply affected by this senseless tragedy, with local officials expressing their condolences and concerns about the safety of the area. The store, which had been a convenient location for the community, has now become a focal point for discussions on the impact of violence and crime in the neighborhood.
