Arrest made in shooting of Roxbury convenience store clerk who remains on life support

BOSTON — A 25-year-old Lynn man is now under arrest, accused of shooting and critically wounding a convenience store clerk in Roxbury who remains on life support at a Boston hospital.

Stephon Samuel is charged with armed assault with intent to murder, armed robbery by means of a firearm, unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, and armed career criminal Level 1, Boston Police said.

His arrest follows a high-profile crime case that has spanned the globe, since the victim, Tanjim Siam, is an immigrant from Bangladesh who came to America for a better opportunity.

Police obtained an arrest warrant for Samuel on Friday after an investigation by the BPD Homicide Unit, the BPD Forensics Unit, in conjunction with the Brockton Police Department and the FBI Boston Violent Crimes Task Force.

Samuel is currently in custody at the Plymouth County House of Corrections on unrelated charges.

Friday evening, during a press conference, several convenience store clerks thanked Boston police for making the arrest.

“It is a big loss, we cannot get it back. Nothing can (compensate) this loss. But at least when I heard the news the suspect got caught, I am breathing a little bit better and I’m feeling a little bit better,” said Abdul Matin, who owns the store where Siam worked.

“I hope this arrest will (help with) healing victim’s family, Tanjin’s family, a little bit,” Matin said.

Siam was critically wounded when, police say, he was shot and suffered life-threatening injuries while working at M&R convenience store on Shawmut Avenue in Roxbury on the night of July 14.

Officers found Siam with gunshot wounds when they responded to a report of a person shot in the area of 718 Shawmut Ave.

Boston 25 News reporter Malini Basu has covered the case since the beginning.

In a statement Friday night, Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins thanked investigators who made the arrest in the brutal shooting.

“Today we got to tell Tanjim Siam’s family that we found the person that shot Tanjim and left him for dead,” Rollins said. “We continue to pray for Mr. Siam’s recovery as he remains in critical condition. My office will do everything to hold Mr. Samuel accountable for his violent disregard for life and the unimaginable pain he has caused Mr. Siam’s family.”

The investigation, which includes video surveillance from the store, revealed that Siam complied with Samuel during the robbery, and turned over cash from the register, Rollins said.

“That was not enough for Mr. Samuel; he took Tanjim into a different part of the store and attempted to execute him,’' Rollins said. “Mr. Siam survived and is clinging to life as we speak. He is a fighter and we are hoping for his full recovery. My heart goes out to his family. I hope that holding Mr. Samuel responsible for his brazen violence, which we fully intend to do, brings the Siam family some small amount of solace.”

MORE: After a 30-hour journey, family of Roxbury clerk shot during robbery arrives to say final goodbyes

A customer of the store, Mary Quirk, on Friday night also praised police for making the arrest.

“I am so happy that this person was caught. He deserves everything that he gets,” Quirk said of Samuel. “The community can breath a sigh of relief, finally, and not have to worry about what’s going on.”

Quirk recalled Siam as being very personable and helpful whenever she went to the store.

“He was a happy kid, you know, and he would turn around help you out anyway you needed it, very friendly, laughing,” Quirk said. “Knew what I wanted as soon as I walked through the door.”

Siam’s family is expected to speak to reporters on Monday at Boston Police headquarters.

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