Two Rocky Mount store owners shot to death in 2011

Rafiq Salim Soufan, known as "Sammy," 47, was found lying in the doorway of his Rocky Mount store, Sammy's Food Mart in the early morning hours of March 8, 2011. Two months later, Abdul Karim Alwarrak was found dead inside his store, three miles away. He too had been shot to death.

Posted 5:37 a.m. Dec 4, 2016 — Updated 5:44 a.m. Dec 4, 2016

Rafiq Salim Soufan, known as "Sammy," 47, was found lying in the doorway of his Rocky Mount store, Sammy’s Food Mart in the early morning hours of March 8, 2011.

“That somebody would take his life like that, it is crazy,” customer Talia Fields said.

He was a fixture in that community. And the investigation into his death was intense.

Check points were set up, and cars were stopped. Police believe two or three people were involved in the murder.

“I can’t imagine someone having a cold heart to the point they would turn around and do something like,” customer Lashell Norwood said.

Two months later it happened again. Abdul Karim Alwarrak was found dead inside his store on Old Wilson Road, three miles away. He too had been shot to death.

If you have any information about the murders of these convenience store owners, call 1-866-439-2683. Or go to wral.com and search report a tip.

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