Rafiq Salim SammySoufan, known as "Sammy," was a 47-year-old store owner in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. On March 8, 2011, he was found lying in the doorway of his store, Sammy's Food Mart, in the early morning hours. Sammy had been shot six times in the abdomen, which ultimately caused his death. He also had abrasions and lacerations on his face. An envelope containing $367 in cash was found among his personal effects.
Sammy was a well-known figure in the community, and his death shocked many who knew him.
The investigation into Sammy's death was intense, with police setting up checkpoints and stopping cars in an effort to find the perpetrators. Authorities believe that two or three people were involved in the murder and were possibly driving an older gray or black Toyota Camry or Chevrolet Caprice with three hubcaps and one black steel rim. Despite the efforts of the police and the community, no arrests have been made in connection with Sammy's murder.
Two months after Sammy's death, another store owner, Abdul Karim Alwarrak, was found dead inside his store, three miles away from Sammy's Food Mart. Alwarrak had also been shot to death, leading to speculation that the two murders might be connected. However, no concrete evidence has been found to link the two cases, and both remain unsolved.
Sammy was born in Jerusalem on January 22, 1964, and was a beloved husband and father. He is survived by his wife of 20 years, Fatin, and their four daughters, Jeanine, Ayat, Haneen, and Nedaa. Sammy's positive attitude, generosity, and dedication to his family and the Rocky Mount community left a lasting impact on those who knew him. An educational fund was set up for his daughters in his memory.
