A Bangladeshi immigrant who came to New York nearly three years ago in search of a better future was fatally shot while working at a restaurant in Brooklyn, leaving behind a wife and two young daughters in Bangladesh.
Mohammad Yusuf Raju, 44, was killed shortly before midnight Saturday at American Bestwing, a pizza and fried-chicken restaurant at 842 Rockaway Avenue in the East New York neighborhood, according to people familiar with the incident. His co-worker, Mohammad Russell, was also shot and injured.
Raju was originally from Konshnagar village in Noakhali’s Sonaimuri upazila. Russell is from Cumilla and remains hospitalized at Brookdale Hospital.
Police from the NYPD’s 73rd Precinct responded to the restaurant after receiving reports of a shooting. Both victims were taken to Brookdale Hospital, where doctors pronounced Raju dead. Russell was treated for a gunshot wound to his right leg.
A dream cut short
Raju came to the United States in October 2023, leaving behind his pregnant wife with plans to establish himself, complete his immigration process and eventually bring his family to New York.
He had two daughters, aged 12 and about 2½ years old. His younger daughter was born several months after he arrived in the United States.
According to his roommate Mohammad Faisal, Raju had never seen his youngest daughter in person. He regularly spoke with his wife and children over video calls whenever he had free time.
Faisal said Raju had hoped to return to Bangladesh once his legal matters were resolved. His final immigration hearing was expected in 2027.
“He wanted to go home after getting his papers in order,” Faisal said, describing a man who enjoyed cooking for himself and playing chess with friends.
Shooting at the restaurant
According to Russell, he had just brought a tray of fried chicken from the kitchen when a gunman opened fire. The bullet struck his right leg.
He said the attacker then shot Raju before fleeing the scene. Russell recalled the suspect as a young Black or mixed-race man, though the investigation remains ongoing.
Restaurant owner and Raju’s close friend Abdul Jalil Shipon said he rushed to the scene after learning about the shooting and later went to the hospital.
Shipon said he was not aware of any previous dispute involving Raju, Russell or other restaurant employees. Police collected surveillance-camera footage and Raju’s cellphone as part of the investigation. No arrest had been reported as of Sunday night.
The restaurant remained closed Sunday as police continued their work at the scene.
Body to be returned to Bangladesh
Raju’s body is expected to be repatriated to Bangladesh after the completion of the necessary legal procedures. He will be buried in his family cemetery in Noakhali.
Although Raju was not a member of the Greater Noakhali Society USA Inc., its president Zahid Mintu said the organization would try to assist the family with arrangements to send his remains home.
For Raju’s family, the shooting has ended a nearly three-year effort to build a future in America. His two daughters will now grow up without the father he had hoped to bring them closer to.
