In a tragic turn of events on a Thursday evening in Durham, North Carolina, Mohammed Aly, a male employee at a local pizza restaurant, was fatally shot. The incident, which took place on February 26, 2026, unfolded inside the Randy's Pizza location situated in a shopping center along South Miami Boulevard. Aly was pronounced dead at the scene of the shooting. Those who knew him described him as a man with a contagiously positive personality, a boxer, and a devout Muslim. His family, grappling with the sudden loss, began preparations for his funeral in keeping with Islamic tradition.
The immediate aftermath of the shooting saw a significant police presence at the shopping center, which was closed for hours during the investigation, impacting other local businesses. The restaurant where the incident occurred posted a message on social media expressing heartbreak over the tragic event and extending condolences to the victim's family, announcing that the location would be closed until further notice. Co-workers who witnessed the event were visibly distraught, gathering outside in the aftermath.
Authorities swiftly took a suspect into custody at the scene. The individual arrested was identified as 30-year-old Isaiah Rawlinson, a coworker of Mohammed Aly. Court documents indicate that Rawlinson was charged with first-degree murder. An initial investigation suggested that the shooting may have stemmed from an argument between the two employees that escalated.
Isaiah Rawlinson made his first court appearance following the incident and was assigned a public defender. It was noted during the proceedings that he had no prior criminal convictions. A judge ordered that he be held in jail without bond. His next court appearance was scheduled for March 18. The broader community was left to grapple with the violent act, with local business owners expressing concern over the impact of such crimes.
