On June 11, 2024, a tragic armed robbery occurred at Miami Cloudz Smoke Shop, located at 2063 Northeast 163rd Street in North Miami Beach, Florida. The incident resulted in the death of 35-year-old Salem Albakri, an employee of the store. Albakri, originally from Buffalo, New York, had recently opened the smoke shop to support himself and his wife, whom he had married less than a year ago.
The robbery was captured on surveillance video, which shows four men entering the store and approaching the counter. One of the men, wearing a red hooded sweatshirt, pulled out a gun and pointed it at Albakri, ordering him not to move. When Albakri attempted to flee to the rear of the store, the gunman fired a single shot, hitting Albakri in the back. The suspects then ran out of the store, with one of them, later identified as William Robinson, grabbing a large jar containing what is believed to be marijuana before fleeing.
When police arrived at the scene, they found Albakri with a gunshot wound. Despite emergency medical efforts, Albakri was pronounced dead at the scene. The surveillance footage played a crucial role in the investigation, as it showed Robinson placing his hand on the glass counter while viewing merchandise. Investigators were able to obtain fingerprints from the counter, which were later confirmed to be Robinson's. Additionally, a facial recognition program and body-worn camera footage from a previous arrest on September 12, 2023, in Miami Beach helped confirm Robinson's identity.
William Robinson, 22, was arrested on Tuesday on charges of first-degree murder and armed robbery. He was booked into jail and is being held without bond. However, as of the current date, the other three suspects involved in the robbery and murder have not been identified or arrested. The North Miami Beach Police Department continues to seek assistance from the public and urges anyone with information to contact Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers.
The community has been deeply affected by the incident, with many expressing shock and outrage. Family members and customers have called for justice, hoping that all the suspects will be caught and arrested. The incident has also heightened concerns about safety in the business plaza where the smoke shop is located, with residents and business owners emphasizing the need for vigilance and cooperation with law enforcement to prevent such crimes in the future.
