Deputies arrest 2nd suspect in Vance store killing

Henderson, N.C. — Vance County sheriff's deputies on Tuesday evening arrested the second man they had been seeking in the Friday night killing of a store clerk, they said.

Sheriff Peter White said they found Saadi T. Williams, 20, of Henderson, in southern Vance in Kittrell Township and were holding him in the county jail on charges of first-degree murder, attempted murder and conspiracy to commit armed robbery.

Fadaq Ali Mohommed Alashmali, 31, of Henderson, died during a robbery of the Williamsboro Grocery at a Shell gas station, 7690 N.C. Highway 39 North, on Friday night.

Deputies earlier had arrested Demarius Antoine Benson, 19, of Eastway Drive, in the case.

White said that Benson also shot at another person in the store. That person was not injured. Benson faces the same charges as Williams.

Investigators are also trying to identify and locate a woman shown in surveillance images shortly before the shooting. Authorities believe that she may be a witness.

Alashmali exchanged gunfire with at least one of the suspects during the robbery, White said. Alashmali was shot once.

“When you work at a convenience store, it’s really a chance of your life these days,” said Joe Davis, an employee at the Stop and Shop across the street from the Williamsboro Grocery.

Family and friends described Alashmali as a “true family man.” He was working at the family-owned store to support his wife and their 3-year-old and 1-year-old children.

Benson had been released on March 22 after serving 13 months for robberies in June 2005 and January 2006.

Between 2006 and 2007, Williams served 8½ months in prison for a robbery in April 2006.