Khalid Al Ghazali, a 46-year-old business owner, was a familiar face in the Frayser neighborhood of Memphis, Tennessee. The Middle Eastern man owned and operated Royal Bee Beauty Supply on North Watkins Street. His family and community knew him as a dedicated entrepreneur.
On the morning of Saturday, April 20, 2024, Mr. Al Ghazali arrived at the back entrance of his store and was ambushed by gunmen.
According to his family, surveillance footage showed that three individuals had been lying in wait for two hours in a parking lot next to the business. The assailants were in a 2011 Toyota Sequoia, which authorities believe was stolen. When Mr. Al Ghazali arrived, the attackers opened fire, and he was fatally shot. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The investigation that followed centered on the surveillance video, which captured the deadly ambush. The footage showed three suspects, all dressed in black clothing, wearing gloves and either masks or other head coverings. The family released the video in the hopes that someone would recognize the individuals or their vehicle and come forward with information. The attack prompted concern among fellow Muslim business owners in Memphis, who began to organize for their own protection.
In an effort to generate leads, CrimeStoppers of Memphis and Shelby County announced a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the arrest of those responsible. The total reward includes the standard $4,000 from the organization, supplemented by $6,000 raised by friends of the beauty supply store. While his family identified him as Khalid Al Ghazali, CrimeStoppers identified him as Khaled Eleiwa. David Wayne Brown, the executive director of CrimeStoppers, stated, “In a case like this, with video footage available, someone recognizes a suspect or knows what happened and who are the likely shooters.”
As of June 2024, the case remains unsolved, and no arrests have been made in the murder of Khalid Al Ghazali. Authorities continue to ask for the public's help. Anyone with information is urged to call CrimeStoppers at 901-528-CASH.
