Suspect in fatal Pompano Beach smoke shop shooting arrested in Georgia, BSO says
A man accused of fatally shooting a 27-year-old inside a smoke shop in Pompano Beach back in March of this year has been arrested, according to the Broward Sheriff's Office.
BSO detectives said Claurry Paul, 25, was taken into custody Monday, June 30, by the Dekalb County Sheriff's Office in Atlanta, Georgia, with assistance from BSO's Violence Intervention Proactive Enforcement Response (V.I.P.E.R.) Unit.
Victim found dead at scene
Shortly after 12 a.m. on March 30, Broward County Regional Communications received a report of a shooting in the 1200 block of East Sample Road. When deputies arrived at Fire Up Smoke Shop, they found Sayf Abdelaziz, 27, suffering from a gunshot wound.
Pompano Beach Fire Rescue pronounced him dead at the scene.
According to detectives, Paul entered the business, approached the front counter with a handgun, shot Abdelaziz and fled on foot.
Investigation leads to arrest
BSO homicide detectives identified Paul as the suspect using investigative techniques.
BSO spokesman Carey Codd credited the relentless work of homicide detectives and said the motive was not clear.
In April, authorities increased the reward for information leading to an arrest in the case to $60,000.
Paul faces a charge of first-degree murder with a firearm and is expected to be extradited to Broward County.
Victim's family reacts
Abdelaziz's brother, Hussain, told CBS News Miami he was grateful an arrest had been made, but he said, "I still have questions as to why this happened and what was the motive. I want to know who sent this suspect to do this. No money or items were taken. I need to find out more."
CBS News Miami spoke exclusively with Hussain and his father, Mohammed, on April 15th and was the first news station to hear from them.
His father said, "I could not believe this. He was never a problem. He was never a problem with anybody. He was a good person."
Hussain said it happened as he and his brother were closing up the shop. He said, "He fell to the ground and I reached for him and said wake up. He was the life of the family. He thought of everybody. This is something you will have to live with the rest of your life."
