Family, friends honor murdered store clerk as killer remains at large

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The life of a beloved man murdered in cold blood while working as a store clerk earlier this week was honored Thursday by family, friends and customers.

Ismael Doumbia’s killer has not been caught, which disturbs many of those who were at the convenience store to remember him.

Prayers were offered for Doumbia as part of an Islamic homegoing service.

"He was not only a member of our Majid, but he was also a brother. I have known him all my life," said Abraham Kamara, who led the prayer.

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Doumbia was also a fixture on Freedom Drive where he worked for 17 years. Everyone who knew him, loved him, his uncle said.

"A good humble family man,” Doumbia’s uncle, Abdoulya Kaba, said. “He got killed."

Doumbia, an immigrant from the Ivory Coast seeking a better life, was proud of his 15-year-old son, who is an excellent student.

Community members are now trying to fill the void in the boy's life.

"He always said, ‘Whatever I couldn't reach is where this young man is going to reach. He's going to reach higher than me,’" friend George Mea said.

Doumbia was killed during a robbery at the Shell Station on Freedom Drive.

The crime was captured on the store's surveillance camera.

"We want this bad people, a group of people, to leave Charlotte, to go away," Kaba said.

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Cox Media Group