Zhen Bo Liu, a 60-year-old Chinese food delivery driver, was tragically murdered on June 14, 2012, in Wilmington, NC. Liu, who had immigrated from China, was known for his friendly demeanor and dedication to supporting his family back home. On the night of his death, Liu was making a routine delivery when he was ambushed by at least two armed individuals. One of the assailants shot Liu in the foot, while the other fired a fatal shot into his face, killing him instantly.
The attackers then stole the food Liu was delivering and later returned to the scene to rummage through his car.
The investigation into Liu's murder led to the arrest of six individuals, five of whom were teenagers. The suspects were charged with various crimes, including first-degree murder, second-degree murder, armed robbery, and conspiracy to commit armed robbery. Among the defendants were Cornell Haugabook Jr., who was 20 years old at the time, and Mustafaa Friend, who was 15. Haugabook was found guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison without parole. Friend, who fired the initial shot, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and other charges, receiving a sentence of 23 to 31.8 years in prison.
Other individuals involved in the crime included Rasheed Thompson, who was 19 at the time, and Manije Johnson-Martin, who was 16. Thompson pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and robbery with a dangerous weapon, receiving a sentence of 10.4 to 13.5 years in prison. Johnson-Martin also pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and was sentenced to 11.9 to 15.3 years in prison. Marvin White, who was 18 at the time, and his younger brother Michael Damon, who was 16, were also implicated in the crime. White received a sentence of 2.4 to 3.9 years for conspiracy to commit robbery, while Damon's involvement was not detailed in the available sources.
The murder of Zhen Bo Liu was a senseless and brutal crime that shocked the Wilmington community. Liu's family, including his wife Yin Mei Fu, was left devastated by his untimely death. Fu, who spoke through an interpreter, described her husband as a kind and generous man who was always willing to help others. Liu's death serves as a tragic reminder of the dangers faced by delivery drivers and the impact of violent crime on families and communities.
