Residents heard gunshots minutes before a newspaper delivery driver found a 21-year-old man dead of at least one bullet wound in North Bay Shore early Thanksgiving morning, Suffolk County police said.
Those details were among the few developments investigators released regarding the murder of Naim Isiah Al-Hakeem, an aspiring rapper who was riding his bicycle from his job in Eastport when he was gunned down at 5:35 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 28.
“By all indication he’s doing the right thing,” said Det. Lt. Jack Fitzpatrick, commander of the Homicide Squad. “He seems to be a hard-working individual, choosing to work the overnight shift. He doesn’t have a car so he rides his bike more than four miles home.”
The victim was less than a mile from his home when he was gunned down. Fitzpatrick said the motive remains unclear while the investigation is continuing. No suspects have been named.
The delivery driver found the victim laying next to his bicycle in the road on Manatuck Boulevard, just north of Cedar Drive. The victim was wearing a backpack at the time.
Crime Stoppers is offering a cash reward of up to $5,000 for information that leads to an arrest in the case.
Homicide Squad detectives ask anyone with information to them at 631-852-6392 or to call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-220-TIPS. All calls will remain confidential.
