Hundreds Boycott Perrine Shop Where Crowbar-Wielding Clerks Killed Akil Oliver

By Tim Elfrink Mon., Nov. 29 2010 at 2:59 PM

Categories: Crime

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Ragheb and Nabil Sulaiman allegedly beat a customer to death in an argument over seven cents.

Hundreds of protesters have surrounded a QuickStop in Perrine where two co-owners beat a man to death with a crowbar last week after an argument over a few cents and an exchange of racial slurs. Although the owners -- Ragheb and Nabil Sulaiman -- have been charged in the death of Akil LaRue Oliver, local activists say they want the business gone forever.

"For us, it's not about race, it's about economic bullying," the Rev. Anthony Reed tells Riptide.

The assault went down just before 6 p.m. on Nov. 18 at the store at 9720 SW 168th, when Oliver got into a heated argument with the Sulaimans. According to witnesses, Oliver thought he was shortchanged by seven cents, but the two men wouldn't give him the extra nickel and two pennies.

Oliver stormed in and out of the store, and police say he called one of the men a "fucking Arab" and told him he'd "fuck his mothers and sister." That's when Nabil grabbed a bottle and hit him over the head, and Ragheb whacked him to death with a crowbar.

Reed says Oliver was a faithful member of his church who was preparing to get married. The pastor says he doesn't know exactly what happened in the store, but that Oliver didn't deserve die. Oliver wasn't the first local customer to have trouble with the owners, Reed says.

"There's been a lot of tension with local patrons," he says. "We know now that a lot of people who patronized these businesses have been called names and have been bullied."

Reed says race isn't the problem, although Oliver's death was apparently spurred by racial slurs (Oliver's family says the clerks also dropped the N-bomb while beating him.)

The bigger problem is that national chains have taken business from local markets without adding anything to the impoverished community, he says.

"It's the haves versus the have nots, and they are trying to tell us that we either have to shop with them and deal with abuse or leave our community," Reed says. "We're saying to businesses that you need to respect people in this community and put money back into the community where you're doing business."

The store remained closed today. Reed says protesters will remain in front of the business at least through the end of this week.

Ragheb Sulaiman faces a second-degree murder charge in Oliver's death; Nabil is charged with aggravated assault

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i saw the man laying on the floor with a big gash on his right eyebrow a security lady was giving him cpr i walked in the store and bought a dutch walked out and saw this lady looking for someone she asked me what happened here and looked down and began to scream and cry it was her husband i tried to calm her and comfort her but she was completely in shock 100% i felt so bad she was suffering and i couldnt say anything close to how she felt police rushed the whole scene and the clerk had blood on his hand maybe from getting cut not sure he looked so scared when the cops said come here now! in the store true story
You all bore me inmensly, if the food in the store is stale why the hell you buy from there. I'll make sure not to buy from a black store cause the're might be drug dealers or racist in there.
You all make me sick, a man was killed because he treathened them with their life, they was protecting themselves. What about when gangs kill small children like in liberty city and yes they're black but you don't see the people of liberty city calling anyone the "N" word. Stop making excuses on using this one incident to call out people names. He was a felon, he was in jail. Stop discriminating you ignorants!!!
Yes you are absolutely right!!!
Yeah you must be black too. Go get a job.
Let me guess you're black too. You can talk all you want but we all know you're a lying ass. I bet you any money none of you is going to have this business closed. You don't like shopping there then go to your Walgreens.
You talk too much crap, why don't you show your face like a man. If i was a man i would show you a thing or two on morals you dumb ass. You probably don't have a job, you probably live of welfare and food stamps and you're definitely a hater cause you don't own your own home or business but you use this one insident where the Sulaimans were protecting themselves against a bully and a jail bird. Did you know Oliver had an ankle bracelet yeah cause he's a criminal and if he's 4 feet underground then he should have stayed home instead of bullying and terrorising other hard working people.
RACIST!!!!
Let me guess you're black. What about all these gangsters killing people in America. Oh ok don't talk if you dont know.
These two Arab men did not kill this man for 7 cents. This man Oliver came in plenty of times to this store harrasing them because they are Arabs. Oliver would purchase something and knowing he didn't have enough to purchase the owners wouldn't ask him for what is rightfully theirs. Oliver would get upset because the owners wouldn't ask him, i call Oliver a bully and a looser. No im not Arab im hispanic and i hate discrimination against anyone but for the Church to try and boycott someones lively hood just because they were trying to protect themselves is ignorant and pathetic. The church boycotts because the man who died is black and dont say no because it's true. All i can say is God don't like ugly and the actions of this church and the ignorant people following them is ugly so you will know your fate when you're at God's gate. FREE THE SULAIMANS!!!!!
Banned again. Weeeeeeeeeeeeee hooo
I am a an italian/american who has lived in perrine and has been to that store many many times... & I can understand both sides because I have witnessed it yet never did honestly experience anything with those men but i will say that the old owners of the texaco in goulds that sits right there on 216 and allapattah used to short change everybody and they didnt care who you were. I have had to go off on them many times because of my money and they always threat to call the police. Anyways, my heart goes out to the mans family and like stated above many points were well addressed. respect needs to come from both sides. Stop messing with these people who are merely trying to make a dollar and store owners you need to respect the fact that you chose to come to this neighborhood and if you have a problem with americans than you need to go somewhere where you can serve your own kind. Simple as that. Just like the vietnamese, we run and get our nails done yet they know they cant stand americans. We need to stop supporting those who are only here to make a buck and could care less about all of us american people. Someone once told me its time that african americans start setting up businesses like mr. bell did in perrine and stop letting all these foreigners come in your town and take over. enough said.
Lord, I just lift up Larue's family right right now, There's a mother that lost her son and a young man that has lost his father, we should be praying for peace. Larue is not coming back its his family that's suffering right now we need to keep them lifted up in prayer.The way that he lost his life is sad very hurtful. I have 2 sons and I stay on my knees praying for them, I dont know what happen in that store but they had NO RIGHT to beat him like that. I'm also from Perrine 184st Winston Manor, I love shopping at Lee's and also Mr.Bell, I never shopped on 168st because the clerks always have a bad smell (body odor), I was always treated with much respect shopping on 104st so I had know reason to take my money know where else. And for all the ppl that are saying that they should have beat him for saying things about the clerks mother and sister " where you there? did you hear him say such things? Only God knows what really was said who the hell are you to judge? God sits high and he looks low.....
Back in the day could get away with saying the black neighborhoods are dangerous and unsafe but in these times in miami all you have to do is turn on the news and see that crime is in even the best neighborhoods. I have delt with more racist remarks this year than i can remember. Miami is a beautiful city but some of the people who live here are so stuck on stepping on the black necks every chance they get until its beginning to become very obvious. If you think were going to leave the store you better think twice because WE ARE NOT GOING NO WERE!!!! . And ass for the punk bitches who beat Larues head in like a savage beast you better get ready cause its only going to get worse . You better go and sell you $3.00 dollars in space because perrine and richmond heights aint buying shit from yall.
at the end of the day they were wrong. he left out there store then they beat him!! we want the store gone because that's 100% disrespect,and you can't think your gonna do that and get away with it,like we are going to push it to the side.color don't matter but let it have been a black man did that to any other race he would have been in jail for 20+years or worst.we just want the store close an have someone there thats going to respect us.cause there death is not going to bring him back point blank! love you larue-lillia
to be honest i have been to that store several times as well as the gas station on 152nd street.what they did is dead wrong nobody deserves to be Killed an i also new larue who was a very nice person.but i will say this to all that live down south.REAL TALK instead of always trying to point fingers and comming together when something liKe this happens.how about you same ones who are so vocal say stuff to the guys who sit outside these peoples stores cursing and hanging out and calling them names.as a blacK man its so annoying when you all are quicK to bash store owners but leave out the idiots who give these people a hard time.i now live in a different area and we treat the iraq or whatever country they may be from with respect so they treat us the same.all day you all disrespect these people calling them fuccing arabs and saying you will mess them up and for what.they give credit and everything else but you all dont appreciate that.i grew up in the same area and stayed there just liKe you all only diffrence is real is real.its wrong for what happened to larue but if all of you that protested out there would do the same to all the azzholes that sit in front of that store and the gas station on 152nd then it wouldnt be so bad.we also have to blame ourselves for things that happen not in larue case but as far as we do and say foul chit to those people all day.an as far as u all trying to drive those people out.you all nee to be glad they are even there because if they leave half the people in the heights and perrine doesnt have transportation to get food how about when u all go there or to the other stores you tell the rug ealers which you all no because we all grew up together and the bums we all no to stop hanging around the gas station snd convience store.that will maKe more stores want to open up the only reasons arabs open up stores is because they are not afraid of the thugs thus they act the way they are treated dwe can blame ourselves for the rude treatment .god bless larue
It's good to see a muslim speak out against the violence that is often associated with islam, let's hear from some more muslims... I don't know what kind of positive you can find in a cold blooded, 2nd Degree Murder! The Oliver family will be supported by their friends and community, there's no need for you to tell them to, "keep away from outside influences." I'm sure they will retain a good attorney...
First off lets not use this as a chance to insult Islam. I am muslim and got along very well with Mr. Oliver for as long as I can remember. In no way does the muslim community condone the acts of these two brothers. Do your research before you get on here with your ignorance. How many chrisitans kill one another and they never include religion. Let's find positives from this and keep supporting the family through this tough time. I as a muslim am here to defend Islam and to let the entire community know that regardless of your religion this act of violence was wrong. To the Oliver family stay strong and keep away from outside influences because in the end it's just going to be you'll still fighting for the respect of his life. Peace and Blessings to you and your family.
ME, you are the one that sounds very uneducated. YOU'RE, not your.
I reference to Hispanic American I understand you had a issue with going to school with people from Perrine you think they are all rude and uneducated. Well I am from Perrine I have family who lives on 167 st. I work 2 jobs and will be graduating with my Bachelors soon so when you say rude and uneducated are you referring to some or all.We should thank them why we have several Black Owned Businesses in that area but because you think that area is not safe you wouldn't know that. It seem that you are a little racist yourself "You People" which people are you speaking about the rude, uneducated, black people who are from Perrine right. Before you speak about people remember we have to live in this world together and these same people who you are referring to may be your life line in the future. They were not defending their pride they were defending their ego and money. He was not going after these guys they attacked him from behind a person is entitle to speak their opinion how every they please as long as they are not causing bodily harm to themselves or others. For them to defend something they would have to be attacked by something or someone Oliver was leaving the store when they attacked him. Now you tell me who is uneducated and ignorant, if you don't know nothing don't say nothing but they again everyone is bold on the internet.
White girl and Observer is right. As for hispanic american your being IGNORANT by making that statement and sound VERY VERY UNEDUCATED. Why don't you read the statements from White girl and Observer before you make such ridiculous comments. Mrs. Ignorant Uneducated hispanic american
I grew up in Palmetto Bay and I will admit that Perrine and 168st was not a safe area! You should actually thank these people for having a store for you people who live in Perrine because you are VERY rude and uneducated. I went to highschool with people from Perrine and they always used to bully the white and Asian kids. As far as that guy Oliver... Its obvious he was acting up and he didn't deserve to die but a good ass whooping (as you guys say it) would have been good. And what does Godly man have to do with this??? That didn't make him a saint'! You ignorant people talking crap about these young men who will spend the rest if their lives in jail because they were trying to defend their pride!
what they did is 100% wrong. im not making any excuse or justifying anything.. ..but, ive been in the store 100's of time only to observe, members of the community talking down to these guys '"arab" this and "arab"' that..and, i always think to myself, damn we wouldnt take that if the rolls were reversed. i knew one day one of them would snap... ..now i see they made a point to include that "Oliver's family says the clerks also dropped the N-bomb while beating him" which im sure they did, wouldnt you after being called "dirty arab" all day and dude saying "he's going to fuck your mom and sister" i think that after all black folks have went through we would be more understainding of how we treat people... im sure these guys are struggling to raise their famlies just like the rest of us!! now, im sure.. alot of folks are going to take this entirely out of context.. but, i have been thinking this.. and, just because what happened was so horrific and inexcusable doesnot mean our hands are clean from helping to create the enviorment where this took place. -my prayers go out to the family of Akil LaRue Oliver.
Ignorance is a bliss, Just like the article stated they are economic bullies. they throw your change at you, sell our minors beer and cigarettes, they price gouge, the food is always stale. Most of all they give nothing back to our communities and they allow our people to sell drugs in front of their establishments. I've noticed that since this incident the other Arab or Middle eastern owned stores are being much more nicer and courteous. but i say to late, we are gonna run you out of our communities one store at a time. LaRue was one of the most funniest and nicest people you would ever want to encounter and God knows he didnt deserve to die like this. It's tragic and senseless. To the stinking skins that oppose what his friends and family wrote I say "Go suck something nice and hard" He will forever be missed, and his death will not be in vain. To you, Larue, Ms. Ruby, lil Larue, Quita, and Londie, Libby, Wanda, Wendy, and the rest of the family, We as a community got your backs, we wont rest till that store is gone.
Yeah right,these two muderers should be charged with 1st degree murder, nothing less..It was a death involved.
This story is obviously biased, would be curious to know if the initiator of the incident was indeed a class act or if he just simply met his match on that sad day. Hopefully, this case also serves as a reminder to stop all forms of bullying. There is no need for someone to lose his life just for being a bully.
This is not the AMERICAN WAY!!!! NOONE HAS THE RIGHT TO TAKE SOMEONES LIFE. WE PATRONIZE THESE STORE AND THEY REFUSE TO LET YOU GO BY WITH 5 CENT. WE HAVE BECOME SO LAZY THAT WE ARE WILLING TO PAY OUTRAGES PRICE AND BE DISRESPECTED AT THE SAME TIME. I AM SORRY THIS YOUNG MAN HAD TO DIE SO THAT WE CAN NOW TAKE A STAND AND TAKE OUR NEIGHBORHOODS BACK. I PRAY THEY GET WHAT THE DESERVE AND BE DEPORTED BACK TO THEIR COUNTRY. THEY HAVE NO RIGHT TO TAKE A LIFE BECAUSE OF HIM CALLING THEM NAMES. THEM BEING MUSLIMS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH STUPITY. WE CAN'T LET RACE NOR RELIGION COST US TO HOLD HATRED IN OUR HEART. I PRAY THAT GOD GIVES HIS FAMILY STRENGTH AND COMFORT.
WHY did Larue have to die for this protest? Its seems that these two individuals treated customers like crap was the norm. However, it saved us a few cents so we supported their store. Remember, it was 7 cents for Larue. Larue's life is over because the community continued to support this business. This protest should have taken place long before Nov. 18, 2010. Im sorry, I work to hard to give my money to someone who doesnt appreciate it! Im sure my few dollars would have not put them out of business, however if the community would have come together long before Nov. 18, 2010, my classmate Larue would have not lost if life at age 34. People we need to be proactive!
Let's eliminate the race card. Or one better, lets make L.Oliver white and the owners black, would there be a diffrence? Of course there would. It's sad and unfortunate that we as a people are ignoring the obvious. A MAN WAS KILLED. Seven cents a dollar who cares, this death was not warrented. All people are violated racially on a daily, we have to learn to push through it. If these ppl were disrespected verbally, it's unfortunate but life. If Mr. Oliver was called the 'N' word, it's unfortunate, but life. We are making this something that it's not. It's a murder case. A man is dead. Let's deal with that. OH YEA, AND CLOSE THE STORE OF MURDERERS. S.N. eusko4/Paul G.... u are clearly both undereducated individuals. Im praying for you.
Listen, these Arabs come into our neighborhoods and sell us that stale ass shit on the shelves for double the price and us dummies go in there and spend our last dollar with these damn fools! This is where it ends. I was once a customer in that same store. The reason why I am not a customer anymore is because the are FUCKING RUDE! I was also a friend and classmate of Larue Oliver (R.I.P.). I will never stop letting my voice be heard until justice is served. To eusko4/Paul G and America, you guys sound so ignorant. I don't care if he said Fuck you or shit or Arab or anything else, THEY HAD NO FUCKING RIGHT TO TAKE THIS MAN'S LIFE! When your friend or family member is brutally murdered, then come talk to me. Until then go get a fucking life!!!!!! YEAH I SAID IT!!!!!!!!!!
Those arab boys and everyone else who defends them can go FUCK themselves! AMERICA, you're just a pussy, muslim punk. I'll take the Brothers, Latins, Whites, anybody, living in my hood over some STINKIN' islamic PIG! Everywhere the muslims go in our country, they start up racist shit with the public. It's a continual cycle with them, go back to your caves in the middle east, we don't want you here! It's amazing how the muslims, with the help of terrorist organizations like C.A.I.R., cry racism, when THEY are the ones formenting violence and hate!
I grew up wit Mr Oliver and up until hi MURDER was a very kind hearted human being that who in doubt just like me will curse you out if you treat me in a wrong mannor which has been proven by the pubilc in previous altercations. Mr Oliver just 2 weeks before his MURDER stopped me and another male from fighting over a old debt in which he always had a qoute " SHAKE THE DEAD LEAVES FROM THE TREE " And further more if these punks were such good businessmen than why did the hide the video before the cops arrived ? What they should have done was pay Mr Olivers Family the money they owed his paving business for the work they did on the parkinglot . Miami is a very racist and not even a brutal murder on a black man can get any support. THIS CITY SUCKS!!!!
SAD!
well for as long as i've been living in this neighborhood, i have never seen or encountered any violence or negativity from that store or its patrons. they are very nice and they help people who cant pay in full out on a mere credit, so whoever they beat up, probably got what was coming to him, how are you going to say such a derogatory remark as "F*cking Arab"and"f*ck his mothers and sister", please i would beat that man myself and probably would have done worse.but i can say this; that they have been done a wrong, because how many "black& White & spanish" walk through there and steal from them, call them names and etc: just like anybody else, all they want to do is work, defend their own and take care of their families. as far as im concerned the rest of the patrons who work at that store shouldnt be getting all this heat. this is suppose to be america, i should be able to defend my country,my own, and that is exactly what they were doing.
I used to go into this same store everyday and I had a heated argument with my friends about this same topic. Downsouthgirl u said some real stuff. I used to go in there because they had a lot of the stuff that the community stores on 104 ave in perrine didn't have and their prices were lower. I was cool with some of the owners at the store. But I was telling my friends that we got used to them throwing the change on the counter, talking back and forth while u wait for your change if they even give you back your change. But my friends have the argument that they went in there and never had a problem with them and they gave us credit and that Larue had to do something else to trigger that like spit or hit someone. I told them that I know Larue and he would not spit on somebody and I don't give a damn what he said, he didn't deserve to die for it. Freedom of speech is what this country is all about. This is crazy, I got some ignorant friends. But I tell them if you feel that way go in the store, rally behind the store. So when they hit you across the head with a crowbar and keep beating you to death. Let's see who is going to rally behind you. eusko4 shut the hell up cause what were they defending??? Larue didn't have a weapon of any sort, it was 4 or more of them one person and they had a bottle, crow bar, and they had a gun behind the counter. So you tell me stupid, what were they defending?
The man that was killed, Akil Larue Oliver, was a very good man. A good father and a damn good friend. He would not yell racial slurs, That was not his personality. Them two brothers deserve the death penalty. No matter who owed who 7 cents, nobody deserve to die the way Larue died. That store needs to pack up and move out of our community. And for the ones who say, they was protecting their business.....come on now, Larue was unarmed and walking away. What type of threat did he pose to them? Nothing. "NO RESPECT...NO BUSINESS" RIP Larue....We miss you.
2nd degree murder and aggrivated assult. Hmmp, So If me and my sister beat someone to death, I'm guessing we'll get the same punishment! Yeah right. See most people are trying to protect these bastards - But I on the other hand have had the chance to be treated rude by these 2. If I put the money in YOUR HAND, give me my change in MY HAND, not shove it on the counter. they were always too busy watching the door, the back of the store, and all the isles at the same time to help the customers with good service. After that last time they treated me like crap, I took my money to Walgreens. My prayers go out to the Oliver Family. And I really wish that the store does infact close down. I'm not going to miss them. And after all that has hapened, I'm pretty sure that the people in the houses across the street won't miss them either. I read on facebook on one of my friends status and there is a young lady really BLASTING the situation. She had very valid points. I can't remember her name it was Michele' or something like that. She said some good stuff. ''Kelsey The King Hayes'' is the friend I seen her posts on. Check it out.
Cold blooded killers, that's all these muslims are, simple as that! They were not defending anything more than their pride and egos, that does not warrant murder. So next time a muslim insults an American in their shop, the American can kill the muslim for the insult...? Is that what you're saying? Tit for tat, if you would have done the same thing, YOU are a killer too! Send these punks to prison where they will be gang raped and pimped out by their cellmates. They're young, they will survive, maybe...
These guys were defending their property and small business. I can't think of anything more american than that. Yeah things got heated and maybe they went a bit overboard but I'll tell ya, I'd have done the exact same thing. Small business owners in certain "urban" areas have been under siege for decades. Its time they fight back. Paul G Native Floridian
These guys were defending their property and small business. I can't think of anything more american than that. Yeah things got heated and maybe they went a bit overboard but I'll tell ya, I'd have done the exact same thing. Small business owners in certain "urban" areas have been under siege for decades. Its time they fight back. Paul G Native Floridian
If these guys were white or latin, we wouldn't be having this conversation because "civilized" people DON'T MURDER somebody for a verbal insult! That's THE difference...
What's the difference between whether these guys were middle eastern, white, latin? There isn't any. Yes give these guys what they deserve: prosecution at the hands of the law, and the repercussions to their business. But don't stupidly involve race here, on either side. It demeans us all.
These muslims need some good 'ol American justice at the end of a rope, ship 'em back to their cave in a bodybag. We aren't going to put up with their shit anymore, America has had enough terrorism and we will stop it now...