Raju, Killed in New York Shooting, Will Never See His Children Again

Mohammad Yousuf Raju, 44, left Bangladesh nearly three years ago with dreams of building a better future for his family in the United States. He left behind his pregnant wife, planning to return home once his immigration paperwork was completed and eventually bring his wife and children to the United States. But that dream will never come true.

Raju was fatally shot by an unidentified assailant at around 11:45 p.m. Saturday at American Bestwing, a pizza and fried chicken restaurant where he worked at 842 Rockaway Avenue in East New York, Brooklyn. His coworker, Mohammad Russell, was also shot and injured in the incident. He is currently receiving treatment at Brookdale Hospital.

Raju’s ancestral home was in Kongshonagar village of Amishapara Union in Sonaimuri Upazila of Noakhali, Bangladesh. Russell is from Borkachi village in Bipulashar area of Manoharganj Upazila in Cumilla.

According to coworkers and people familiar with the incident, Raju and Russell were working at the restaurant late Saturday night when an unidentified gunman suddenly opened fire. Russell was shot in his right leg and fell to the ground. The gunman then shot Raju before fleeing the scene.

Officers from the New York Police Department’s 73rd Precinct responded to the scene and took both victims to Brookdale Hospital. Doctors there pronounced Raju dead. Russell remains hospitalized for treatment.

News of Raju’s death quickly spread through the local Bangladeshi community. Friends, coworkers and acquaintances rushed to the restaurant that night. A crowd of mourners gathered outside the restaurant on Sunday morning as well, while police maintained security around the scene. The restaurant remains closed.

Coworkers said Raju arrived in the United States in October 2023. He had applied for political asylum and possessed the necessary legal documents to work in the country. He was the father of two daughters, aged 12 and two and a half. His wife was pregnant when he left Bangladesh, and their younger daughter was born several months after he arrived in the United States.

Abdul Jalil Shipon, one of the restaurant’s owners and a close friend of Raju from the same village, said he rushed to the restaurant and then to the hospital after learning about the shooting. He said he was not aware of any dispute involving Raju or any other staff member.

Police have taken CCTV footage from the restaurant as well as Raju’s cellphone as part of the investigation. As of Sunday night, Shipon said he had not heard of any arrests.

Russell, who remains hospitalized, said he had just come out of the kitchen carrying a tray of fried chicken when someone suddenly shot at him. The bullet struck his right leg. The gunman then shot Raju and fled. Based on what he could remember, Russell described the suspect as a mixed-race Black man.

Raju lived in a shared bachelor apartment in Ozone Park, Queens. His roommate, Mohammad Faisal, said Raju had good relations with everyone in the apartment. He enjoyed cooking for himself and would often return home late at night after work and prepare food. He also enjoyed playing chess.

Faisal said Raju’s younger daughter was born five or six months after he arrived in the United States. Raju never had the chance to see his younger daughter in person. Whenever he had free time, he would speak with his wife and daughters over video calls.

Raju’s final immigration hearing was scheduled for 2027. He had planned to return to Bangladesh once his paperwork was completed. His dream was to reunite with his wife and children and build a future together.

That dream was shattered by a gunman’s bullet. Raju’s two young daughters will never get the chance to see their father again, and his wife has lost her husband.

Jahid Mintu, president of The Greater Noakhali Society USA Inc., said Raju was not a member of the organization. However, he said the organization would try to provide necessary assistance in sending Raju’s body back to Bangladesh.

After completion of the legal procedures, Raju’s remains are expected to be sent to Bangladesh, where he will be buried in his family cemetery.