Man arrested on suspicion of shopkeeper murder

Jun 4 2008 by Liza Williams, Liverpool Daily Post

Local people pay respect's to murder victim Abdo Saeed Al-Salwi, outside his shop in Dinas Lane, Huyton _320

A MAN has been arrested on suspicion of murdering a shopkeeper in Huyton.

Abdo Sa’eed al-Selwi was shot in the chest as he stood behind the counter of his shop in Page Moss Parade, just before 7.30am on Saturday.

Last night Merseyside Police announced a 37-year-old man from the Dovecot area has been arrested on suspicion of murdering the father-of-11, originally from Yemen.

Mr Al-Selwi, who lived in Kensington, had been subletting Carol’s Newsagents for less than a year.

He was said to have worked 100-hour weeks to provide for his large family, most of whom live in his native country.

Hundreds of newsagents across the city closed their doors yesterday to pay tribute to Mr Al-Selwi.

Around 400 Yemeni-run shops shut for two hours as a mark of respect.

Friends and community members gathered outside his shop for a one-minute silence and laid flowers in tribute to the popular newsagent.

Najib Al-Hakimi, community development manager for the Liverpool Arabic Centre, said: “Shops closed to show respect to Abdo and show solidarity.

“Abdo was a popular man and over 200 people gathered around the shop to pay their respects.”

He added: “There is a feeling of fear and anger among the community, people are scared the same thing could happen again.”

The enquiry is still ongoing and people with information are urged to contact police on 0151 777 8660/8663.