Rayd Ali Al Qadhi, a 29-year-old Yemeni male, tragically lost his life on May 22, 2019, in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Al Qadhi was working as a convenience store clerk at the Express Mart gas station on Clinton Road when the incident occurred. On that fateful day, two masked men forced him back inside the store, leading to a scuffle during which Al Qadhi was shot.
The suspects involved in this heinous crime were identified and charged.
Jaequan Ernest Wright, a 20-year-old male, was charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy. Wright appeared in court, where he was informed that he could face the death penalty if convicted. The second suspect, Rodriquez D. McNeill, a 23-year-old male, was charged with first-degree murder, robbery with a dangerous weapon, and conspiracy. McNeill was being treated for an unrelated injury at a local hospital and was to be taken to the Cumberland County Detention Center upon discharge.
Al Qadhi's family, who described him as a kind and non-violent individual, expressed their gratitude to the investigators for their efforts in bringing the suspects to justice. Al Qadhi had recently moved to the United States from Yemen, was married, and was a new father with another child on the way. The community and law enforcement continue to seek information to ensure that justice is served.
