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Rocky Mount Police Look For Two Suspects In Store Shooting

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ROCKY MOUNT — Rocky Mount police continue to search for two suspects in the murder of the co-owner of a Rocky Mount convenience store.

Police say Hatim "Tim" Azuzarieh, 33, was gunned down during a botched robbery at the Cokey Road Supermarket & Grill around 9 p.m. Friday.

Azuzarieh later died at Nash General Hospital.

In a call made from a nearby pay phone, a caller told 911 operators about the robbers who took the life of Azuzarieh.

Listen toauorReal Audiofile. Caller:"One's wearing a black hoody and one is wearing a green hoody. They just went down that way."911 Operator:"Which way on Cokey Road did they head in?"Caller:"Somebody is shot in the store." "I still just can't believe Tim is gone," says Ronald Battle who knew the victim well. Battled had visited Azuzarieh just an hour before the shooting.

Police say two suspects rode bikes to get away. The suspect who fired the single bullet reportedly shot Azuzarieh then asked him for money. It was a brazen attack that leaves many neighbors unsettled.

Azuzarieh, a father of three, had moved to Rocky Mount a few months ago from Ohio to reportedly get away from crime there.

Rocky Mount crimestoppers is offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact the Rocky Mount Police Department or Crimestoppers at(252) 977-1111.

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