Two Communities grieve 3 killed in a store 24 hrs earlier.

1/7/09

At 7:45 p.m.; The Somali and Seward Communities came together to mourn 3 victims shot 24 hours earlier inside The Seward Market and Halal Meats, at 25th and East Franklin Avenue in Minneapolis. It was cold, with a wind chill below zero, but word spread very fast that the community should come together.

The night before, two men enter the store and gunned down two cousins that owned the store, and a customer. Mahad Warfa was off, but brought tea over to his cousin Abdifatah Warfa running the store. Anwar Mohammed was the customer, and he'd just ducked in on his way home from work.

Somali leaders, and the Mayor pleaded for peace, and anyone with information to come forward to solve the crime. Mayor Rybak, came to the scene for the second night in a row. He said it was personal : his mom was robbed in a store less than a mile a way, and had a gun held to her head years ago. He said the community came together to solve that crime, and he wanted that to happen now. Also in attendance was Cam Gordon of the City Council representing the Seward neighborhood.

Looking through the closed store's window, I saw all the usual trappings of a convenience store. Chips and coolers, and then down one isle chaos, with a rack emptied to the floor, and then by the door a horrific scene of pools of blood still on the floor. Many who came up to the window, stood in shock at the scene.

Last year, Minneapolis had 19 homicides, down from the high of 97 in 1995. But already this year in Minneapolis we've had 4.

A Trust Fund has been set up for the Warfa family of the store, at Wells Fargo : Account : # 2655528699

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Somali Community
• Somali Immigrants
• Minneapolis
• Homicides
• Seward
• Candlelight Vigil
• Mayor Rybak

[Caliph84]

Please Minneapolis Police, release the videos. We want justice. The Somali community will help if they see the suspects. These murderers amongst our community will be brought to justice if they are identified. We are all shocked by these killings. We don't want this tragedy to happen again in our neighborhoods. We want peace.

[oneeyelucky]

What took place that faithful night at Seward market was a horrific crime.

I'm humble beyond believe the support given by Mayor Rybak, Chief Dolan, the entire MPD, and all Minnesotans.

I'm glad about the swift apprehension of the alleged perpetrators, the overwhelming collaboration of the Somali community.

I would like to express my heartfelt condolence to the families of the victims, that I can only say: I can't imagine what you're been and going through. May Allah be on your side. Aamin.

[Gangstar612]

Great Video thanks for posting uptake team,. killers will be caught and brought to justice I have no doubt in my mind but what I worry about is the motive behind this senseless slayings, according to word on the street this was not robbery gone bad, killers came to the store deliberately targeting store owners and than fled unfortunately one customer was killed in the process, now my concern is as Somali living mpls why these deceased men killed?

[proudSomalisis]

Great speeches. But the Somalis need to shut up and listen! Respect!