Bangladeshi Man Killed in Shooting in New York

Bangla Press Desk:  A Bangladeshi expatriate has been killed in a shooting at a restaurant in New York City.

Another Bangladeshi national was shot in the incident and has been hospitalised for treatment.

The deceased has been identified as Yusuf Raju. The injured has been identified with a single name as Rasel.

The incident occurred early on Sunday morning in the borough of Brooklyn, which has a sizeable Bangladeshi community, bdnews24.com reports.

Police say that the 44-year-old Raju was shot in the head, while the 39-year-old Rasel was shot in the leg.

Raju was rushed to One Brooklyn Health-Brookdale University Hospital Medical Centre for treatment of the injury. There, the doctor declared him dead.

The incident occurred at the American Best Wings & Pizza restaurant at 842 Rockaway Avenue. The perpetrators and the motive are still under investigation.

The New York Police Department (NYPD), which is leading the investigation, had yet to make any arrests as of 9pm on Sunday.

The deceased Raju had crossed into the US from the Mexico border about three years ago after paying a broker Tk 3 million. He then petitioned the US for political asylum and permanent residency. His wife, three children, siblings, and parents live in Bangladesh.

Raju hailed from Kangshanagar in Noakhali’s Sonaimuri. The injured Rasel also hails from Noakhali. He also entered the US after paying a substantial amount to a broker.

Shahidullah Kawsar, a leader among the Noakhali expatriate community in Brooklyn, said a customer at the restaurant had been attempting to leave without paying the bill. When Raju and Rasel stopped the customer, it led to an argument. The customer then pulled out a gun and fired several rounds before fleeing, he said.

Nazmul Haque Manik, a leader of the Noakhali Society, said that Raju’s family had called from Bangladesh and urged them to send the body back home.