A Morrisville man is being held without bond in the fatal shooting of a co-worker inside a Durham pizzeria, a killing that has shaken employees and customers alike and prompted multiple state investigations before the restaurant can reopen.
According to authorities and court records, 30-year-old Isaiah Rawlinson was charged with first-degree murder in the death of Mohammed Aly, a fellow employee at Randy’s Pizza – South Miami Boulevard. The shooting occurred Thursday evening inside the restaurant’s South Miami Boulevard location.
The Durham Police Department has not publicly released extensive details about the events leading up to the gunfire. However, multiple media reports, including coverage by WTVD, indicate that the two men worked together at the restaurant and that an argument inside the business appears to have escalated into violence.
A Workplace Turned Crime Scene
The shooting unfolded in a place long familiar to residents in eastern Durham — a neighborhood pizza shop frequented by families, workers and students. According to statements provided to local television reporters, the restaurant’s owner, Randy Smith, said the confrontation occurred inside the pizzeria.
In a written statement, Smith extended “deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of our team member,” describing the loss as “unimaginable.” He added that the business is cooperating fully with law enforcement and declined to provide further details, citing the active investigation.
On Friday, a Durham County judge ordered Rawlinson held without bond. Under North Carolina law, first-degree murder is a Class A felony, the most serious criminal charge in the state. A conviction carries the possibility of life imprisonment without parole or the death penalty, though prosecutors have not publicly indicated whether they intend to pursue capital punishment.
Court officials confirmed that Rawlinson was appointed a public defender.
Investigations Beyond Criminal Charges
Because the shooting occurred inside a place of business during operating hours, the case extends beyond a criminal prosecution.
The North Carolina Department of Labor, which enforces workplace safety rules under the federal Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, will be required to review the incident before the restaurant can reopen. OSHA regulations obligate employers to provide a workplace “free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm,” a provision commonly known as the General Duty Clause.
In addition, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services — which oversees sanitation standards for food service establishments — may conduct inspections to ensure the facility meets health and safety requirements before reopening.
Workplace homicides, while less common than other forms of workplace violence, remain a persistent concern nationally. According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, homicide has consistently ranked among the leading causes of fatal occupational injuries in the United States, particularly in retail and food service settings where employees interact with co-workers and the public in high-stress environments.
Though authorities have not described this incident as a robbery or customer-related dispute, the fact that it occurred in a retail food establishment underscores the vulnerability of frontline workers to sudden escalations of conflict.
A Community in Mourning
Little has yet been publicly released about Mohammed Aly beyond confirmation that he worked at the restaurant. Friends and family members could not immediately be reached for comment. As news spread Friday, customers left messages of sympathy on the restaurant’s social media pages.
Randy’s Pizza, a locally owned business, has operated multiple locations in the Triangle area for years and is known for its New York–style pies. The South Miami Boulevard location remains closed “until further notice,” according to the owner’s statement.
In Durham, where small businesses form a vital part of neighborhood identity, violent incidents inside workplaces reverberate widely. Community leaders have in recent years called for expanded conflict resolution resources, mental health support and workplace de-escalation training — particularly in industries marked by long hours, tight staffing and economic strain.
Legal Road Ahead
The case now moves into the early stages of the criminal justice process. Following arraignment, prosecutors will present evidence to a grand jury, which must decide whether to return a formal indictment. Pretrial motions, discovery and potential plea negotiations could take months.
Under North Carolina procedure, defendants charged with first-degree murder are not entitled to bond as a matter of right; judges may deny release if they determine that no conditions of release would reasonably assure public safety or the defendant’s appearance in court.
For now, Rawlinson remains in custody at the Durham County Detention Facility.
Broader Questions
The tragedy raises difficult questions about workplace conflict and the responsibilities of employers when disputes arise among staff. Experts in occupational safety note that while employers cannot anticipate every act of interpersonal violence, risk assessments, reporting mechanisms and clear disciplinary policies can mitigate dangers.
At the same time, the circumstances surrounding Thursday’s argument remain unclear. Police have not disclosed whether the men had a documented history of conflict or whether weapons were brought into the workplace that day.
As investigators continue their work, the community awaits answers — and, perhaps more urgently, the reopening of a neighborhood gathering place now marked by loss.
The Bull City Citizen will continue to follow developments in the case, including court proceedings, investigative findings and any determinations by state regulatory agencies. Readers with information relevant to the case are encouraged to contact the Durham Police Department.
For a city that prides itself on resilience and close-knit neighborhoods, the killing inside a corner pizzeria is a stark reminder that violence can erupt even in the most familiar spaces — and that its consequences ripple far beyond a single storefront.
