Life sentence for man who murdered Charlotte store owner in 2017

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) - A man who fatally shot Massaquoi Kotay, a Charlotte store owner, has been sentenced to life in prison after a jury found him guilty of murder and a firearm offense. The trial, which began May 15, 2023, ended Friday with the jury’s guilty verdict.

Kotay’s family tells WBTV that it felt like a weight was lifted off their shoulders after six years of waiting for justice.

“When I got the message… it just brought on the tears,” Kotay’s ex-wife Emily Anim said. “What it reminded me was… God is good.”

Kotay’s daugher Sianai Kotay says she hopes her family can serve as a beacon of hope for other families that are still waiting for their day in court.

“Justice for one is justice for all,” Kotay said. “I felt as though our family was an example for other families that may have never received justice.”

“Shalome Scott, the 28-year-old offender, is a previously convicted felon following a 2013 incident where he robbed an autistic man,” according to a press release from the Mecklenburg County District Attorney.

Scott was charged with first-degree murder and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The judge sentenced Scott to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Sianai Kotay says she feels relieved to know that Scott can never destroy another family the way he destroyed hers.

“It just feels good to know that he’s been put away,” Kotay said. “To know that he won’t hurt any other family the way he hurt our family.”

She also said that even though her father’s life got cut short, his legacy and story will continue to live on.

“He lived a full life,” Kotay said. “Even though it was short, unexpected, untimely, I believe that he lived a full life.”

“Mr. Kotay, 45, was a Liberian immigrant who owned the North End Convenience Store on North Tryon Street. He was working in the store in January 2017 when Shalome Scott and Desmond Black walked into the store together. Scott, who was armed with a gun, then shot Mr. Kotay and fled the store. Mr. Kotay died as he ran to a neighboring store for help,” according to the DA’s office.

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