'He wanted to do good:' Community grieves father of 7 shot in his own store
Fayetteville police are trying to figure out why a father of seven was murdered in his shop.
Eddie Saez, Jr., age 34, had owned Southern City Swag Boutique for about two years. He was shot Tuesday afternoon in his own shop.
Surveillance footage from a business next door captured two people running away.
The front door window of his store is shattered with a bullet hole. Family members gathered at the store today to grieve his loss.
People in the community called him "Papa." A father of seven, he was also a father figure to many others.
Michael Rivera, however, will always know him as 'little brother.'
"There are a lot of people in this town that know my brother," he said. "They know what he's done for the people here, for the neighbors, for the community."
Saez was known for hosting communal events – giving away free book bags, hair cuts. He'd rent bounce houses for kids to come play.
Walid Albarati, who owns a neighboring store a few doors down, said he heard several shots on Tuesday. Albarati called police and went to the boutique himself, where he found Saez on the floor, bleeding.
Saez died on the scene.
"He's a beautiful person. I know he has good vibes," said Albarati. "He never mentioned a problem with other people. His intention was to do good. That's everything he shared with me. He wanted to do good."
Now the question in his loved ones' minds: Why would anybody do him harm?
Family members say nothing was taken from the store.
His brother says those responsible might have resented Saez's success, his generosity.
"The world is kind of cruel, man, you know. Jealousy. Envy," he said.
Fayetteville has had 47 murders in 2021. Just five days into the new year, the city has two.
Police say they have not identified any suspects. They're urging anyone with information to call them or Crimestoppers.
Saez's legacy will be remembered – someone who wanted to help the community, throwing festivals for kids just to see people laugh and smile.
