Uday Manik, a 56-year-old businessman of Conway, North Carolina, was tragically murdered on September 29, 2016. Manik, who owned the Sonoco Convenience Store and the Woodland Supermarket in Aulander, was ambushed and shot multiple times while behind the wheel of his vehicle near the intersection of NC 561 and NC 305. The incident occurred around 9 p.m., shortly after Manik had closed his store and was en route home.
Three suspects were arrested in connection with Manik's murder. Franklin Jones, 18, Bobby Askew, 19, and Nicholas Cooper, 19, were taken into custody on October 2, 2016, and charged with felony murder. Investigators believed that Manik was targeted for his cash, as he was known to carry money with him from his business. The suspects were arrested at different locations, with Jones being taken into custody at his home, Askew in Murfreesboro, and Cooper in Bertie County.
The investigation revealed that the suspects had planned the ambush-style shooting, hiding near the intersection and attacking Manik when his vehicle came to a stop. Despite the tragic circumstances, the swift arrests brought some closure to Manik's family and the community. The case continued to be investigated to uncover the full motive and details of the crime, with the assistance of the State Bureau of Investigation and local law enforcement agencies.
In the aftermath of the arrests, the suspects faced legal proceedings. Franklin Jones was found guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Bobby Askew and Nicholas Cooper accepted plea deals to testify against Jones and were sentenced to 20-to-25 years in prison for second-degree murder. The case highlighted the dangers faced by small business owners and the importance of community and law enforcement collaboration in solving such crimes.
