Owner found fatally shot in North Tryon imported African foods store

The owner of an African imported foods store was found fatally shot in his North Tryon Street business Thursday afternoon. He is Charlotte’s fifth homicide of the year.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg police found Massaquoi Kotay, 45, with an apparent gunshot wound after they were called to Mina African Mart, in the 4400 block of North Tryon near Sugar Creek Road, shortly after 2 p.m., police said. Medic pronounced the man dead at the scene.

Kotay owned Mina African Mart and was prominent in Charlotte’s Liberian community, family members told Observer news partner WBTV.

Detectives believe Kotay and the shooter were involved in an altercation inside the business that led to the shooting, police said.

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call 704-432-TIPS (8477) to speak with a detective, or call Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

This story was originally published January 12, 2017 at 4:06 PM with the headline "Owner found fatally shot in North Tryon imported African foods store."