NORTH MIAMI BEACH, FLA. (WSVN) - Police seek the public’s help in connection to the fatal shooting of a store clerk during an armed robbery at a smoke shop in North Miami Beach.
According to North Miami Beach Police, the incident took place at Miami Cloudz Smoke Shop, located at 2063 NE 163 St, at around 9:45 p.m. on June 11.
Detectives said that when officers arrived at the scene, they found the victim, identified as 35-year-old Salem Albakri, suffering from a gunshot wound.
Surveillance video shows four men inside the store. When Albakri turned around to get them something, one of the men, seen wearing a red hoodie, pulled out a gun and told him not to move.
“Don’t move, don’t move,” the man said.
The clerk did not comply, and as he ran to the back of the shop, he was shot by the armed subject.
Following the shooting, all four men ran out of the shop.
Despite emergency medical efforts, Albakri succumbed to his injuries at the scene.
The victim’s family member posted a somber post on Facebook saying, “Rest in peace kind, gentle, cousin Salem Albakri.”
The post goes on to say that Albakri got married less than a year ago and moved to Miami to start a new life.
A man who works next door to the shop said Albakri was a hardworking man.
“He was only doing his job and didn’t have any problems,” said the man in Spanish.
He said everyone in the business plaza has been on edge since the shooting occurred.
“It’s very dangerous nowadays for us, for our kids,” said a woman.
Now, police and customers of this shopping plaza want the four subjects to face justice so they can’t hurt anyone else.
“We need to search for justice. This is a very horrible crime, and we need to find a way to stop it,” said the woman.
Police said that preliminary investigations suggest the incident escalated unexpectedly during the robbery.
If you have any information on this shooting or the subjects’ whereabouts, call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a reward of up to $5,000.
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