Owner killed in Oxford convenience store shooting

A customer discovered the body of Musleh Mohamed Qayed, 49, shortly before 9 p.m. at the Family Market on U.S. Highway 15. Kuayed had been shot in the chest with a shotgun, according to Sheriff Brindell Wilkins.

The shooter left the store with an undisclosed amount of cash from the register, and the sheriff's office said robbery appears to be the motive. 

No suspects have been identified or arrested. Investigators spent Wednesday night and Thursday canvassing the area, including a mobile home park across the road from the store. 

The store did not have a working surveillance camera system. 

Anyone with information is asked to call the sheriff's office at 919-693-3213. 

People who regularly stopped at the store said Qayed went out of his way to brighten their day.

"He was really sweet. He was a really nice man," said Cassandra Ward. 

"He was really a nice person," said Novella Williams. "I don't know if anyone could say anything bad about him."

Tarsha Hook, who lives next door to the Family Market, said she was shocked by Qayed's death. 

"I was like, are you serious? You've got to be kidding me. I just had left from over there not too long ago," Hook said. "It's sad."

Ward said she hopes the community will have answers soon.

"I really hope they catch whoever did it, I mean because he was too good of a person," she said. "He didn't deserve that at all."