On September 18, former Dearborn resident Zaher Mansour’s dream of beginning a new life in America was shattered after he was shot to death by two men outside of his “Stop and Shop” convenience store in Williamston, North Carolina.

The incident occurred just before 2 p.m. in the store’s parking lot. Williamston EMS announced Mansour dead at the scene. The two alleged gunmen are 21-year-old Reginald Brown and 23-year-old Joseph McEachern. They were arrested the same day of the crime and charged with an open count of murder in Zaher’s death. Both are held in jail without bond. To date, there are no leads in the story.

Zaher’s body was taken to Lebanon where his burial service was held. He had no children or wife. His cousin who asked to remain anonymous says Zaher was looking forward to starting a family. The cousin says Zaher’s family is in shock.  “Imagine his parents sent him to America and he comes back in a box,” he said.

Zaher also lived in Miami and New York seeking to establish a successful business. His convenience store had only been open for four months.  Zaher’s cousin, who visited him in North Carolina, says the store was located in an area where poverty, jobless rates and drug use are high.For now, the store remains closed until one of Zaher’s siblings decides on its fate.  Zaher’s cousin describes him as an honest and kind person who always smiled. “Those people don’t know what they’re doing, maybe they don’t think. They’re animals for killing someone for money. They killed a man who has been in the United States for 11 years, just working hard to build his life,” he said.