Body Found In Las Vegas ID'd As Popular NJ Boxer

The family of a popular boxer has confirmed that a body found last week in Las Vegas is that of the 29-year-old New Jersey athlete, according a report published on Monday.

Qa’id Muhammad father, Abdur Rahim Muhammad, told The Press of Atlantic City that his 29-year-old son died last Wednesday after being shot near Las Vegas.

“We’re all pretty much still in denial,” Abdur Rahim Muhammad, the father of the undefeated professional Atlantic City boxer, told The Press. “It’s still hard to believe. We’re still trying to believe it’s not him, that it’s just someone playing a joke. We just can’t believe it’s Qa’id.”

The family made the confirmation days after the Henderson, Nevada Police Department said it's investigating a dead body that was found in the desert near Wigwam Parkway and Traverse Point in the Las Vegas area.

At approximately 1:45 p.m. on Sept. 12, Henderson police and fire responded to the desert area west of the 1200 block of Wigwam Parkway on a report of a body that had been dumped from a black SUV, police said.

Upon arrival by officers and medical personnel, a deceased adult male was located, police said.

A preliminary investigation indicated that the victim may have suffered from what appeared to be a fatal gunshot wound to the chest area, and the incident is being investigated as a homicide, police said.

Through active investigation and follow-up, detectives identified a black SUV associated with the incident at an address located on the 1000 block of Fish Pond Avenue in Henderson, Nevada. An additional investigation revealed that the shooting may have been drug-related and a suspect was identified.

On the evening of Sept. 12, Henderson Detectives served a search warrant at a residence located on the 1000 block of Fish Pond Avenue and arrested 38-year-old Ryan Small, and then charged him with murder with a deadly weapon, police said.

Abdur Rahim Muhammad said his son was on the way to the gym Wednesday when Small offered him a ride, according to nj.com. He said Muhammad had a cell phone and around $500 to 600 in his wallet.

Muhammad was 89-9 as an amateur and earned a spot as an alternate with the 2008 U.S. Olympic team.
He debuted as a professional in 2008 in the bantamweight division, for fighters weighing less than 118 pounds. He won all eight of his fights, with seven knockouts, according to nj.com.

Anyone with information in this case is urged to call the Henderson Police Department at 702-267-4911, 3-1-1, or, to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 702-385-5555 or visit Crime Stoppers website. Tips directly leading to a felony arrest or an indictment processed through Crime Stoppers may result in a cash reward.

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