A Change of Guard

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Tuesday 25 January 2011

Long Beach neighbors mourn [a Cambodian] store clerk


A woman writes a message on a balloon at the memorial for Phouma Sor at Cherry Avenue and Fourth Street. The Cambodian immigrant was killed at his job at a liquor store. (Stephen Carr Staff Photographer)

CRIME: As police seek two men in fatal shooting, friends build shrine to victim.
Posted: 01/23/2011
Press-Telegram

LONG BEACH - Police on Sunday continued their search for two robbers suspected in the shooting death of a popular liquor store clerk.

Phouma Sor, 53, of Long Beach, was fatally shot just before 8 p.m. on Saturday in a botched robbery at the P&B Liquor Jr Market near the corner of Fourth Street and Cherry Avenue, said Long Beach police Sgt. Rico Fernandez.

The two robbers, described only as Hispanic males dressed in dark clothing, were last seen running from the parking lot. Sor was taken to a local hospital where he died from his injuries.

Police said the weapon used was an unknown type of handgun.

Stunned neighbors and regular customers gathered outside the closed storefront on Sunday to pay their respects. A shrine was set up in Sor's honor with balloons, candles and flowers.

"He always had a smile on his face," said longtime customer Cherreese Lloyd. "So many people around here are going to miss him."

They said Sor was a well-liked Cambodian immigrant who had worked at P&B Liquor for years. He would even extend credit to regular customers in need.

"He was such a nice man," said Sophia Ath, who owns a nearby beauty salon. "I just can't believe they did that to him."

Authorities released no further details on Sunday, citing the ongoing investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact Homicide Detectives Todd Johnson or David Rios at 562-570-7244.

Anonymous tips can also be sent via text or e-mail at www.longbeach.gov/police.

Another clerk was killed in a robbery at the same liquor store in August 1994, according to Press-Telegram archives.

Salesclerk Nasser Akbar, 51, was on duty just after 11 p.m. when he was shot by Malik Hasan, then 24. Hasan, who a judge said shot Akbar in cold blood after he had already handed over the cash, was convicted and sentenced to death in 1996.

Akbar was described as a popular neighborhood fixture who, like Sor, also helped customers in need.

He left behind a disabled wife and two teenage daughters.

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