Family wants to know why suspect seemingly randomly killed Smoke Shop employee

POMPANO BEACH, Fla. – In March, 27-year-old Sayf Abdelaziz was shot to death inside of the smoke shop he and his family own in Pompano Beach.

Leer en español

This week, the Broward Sheriff’s Office announced the arrest of 25-year-old Claurry Paul in connection with the shooting.

He has been named the sole suspect in the murder.

Hussein Abdelaziz was there when his brother was shot in the head as they were closing up the Fire Up Smoke Shop located at 1251 E. Sample Road.

“There was three of us in the store -- a customer, me and my brother,” he said. “(The suspect) walked in and executed my brother. Point blank range. Really close.”

Abdelaziz wants to know why his brother was targeted. Paul didn’t rob the store or hurt anyone else, detectives said.

“It was very emotional,” Hussein Abdelaziz said. “We’re glad to see that there’s some progress made, but there’s no kind of relationship between my brother and this guy. I’ve never seen him.”

Paul was arrested at an apartment in Atlanta, Georgia.

It is not known if a tip led detectives to the suspect or if there was another way they were able to track him down.

The victim’s family has many questions. They are angry and confused but thankful for the work of BSO in bringing Paul to justice.

“That’s inhumane to do such a thing,” Hussein Abdelaziz said. “Why? That’s my main question. Why? Why would you do that? What did my brother do to you?”

Paul will eventually be extradited to Broward County.


Loading...