Key Highlights:
- Two Bangladeshi citizens fell victim to fatal gunfire amidst the broad daylight of Saturday, April 27th in Buffalo, New York
- According to the Gun Violence Archive (GVA), as of February 15, the toll stands at a troubling 4,994 deaths and 3,351 injuries from gun-related incidents, averaging about 108 fatalities daily
- In October 2015, freedom fighter Mushtaq Ahmed fell victim to terrorists in Florida
In a distressing turn of events, the tranquility of Buffalo, New York, was shattered as two Bangladeshi citizens fell victim to fatal gunfire amidst the broad daylight of Saturday, April 27. The victims, identified as Yusuf, aged 58, from Sylhet’s Kanaighat Upazila, and Babul, aged 36, from Cumilla, were engaged in repair work at the residence of a fellow Bangladeshi expatriate when the shooting occurred.
According to Motiur Rahman Litu, a journalist and community activist residing in Buffalo, one of the victims succumbed to their injuries at the scene, while the other passed away en route to the hospital. In response to the incident, a Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team was dispatched, and civilians were advised to steer clear of the area as law enforcement launched their investigation.
The preceding day, on Friday, another fatal shooting claimed the life of a 31-year-old Buffalo resident shortly before 9 pmon the first block of Young Street, south of Broadway. The victim suffered multiple gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene. Rapidly, the Buffalo Police Crisis Management Team ensured the safety of the neighborhood, impacting the daily routines of over 50,000 Bangladeshi expatriates in Buffalo.
Earlier in February, Amarnath Ghosh, a 34-year-old classical dancer from India was also shot multiple times in St Louis Academy neighborhood. Sadly, such incidents of violence are not isolated occurrences but part of a disturbing pattern of extrajudicial killings and gun violence that continues to plague communities across America.
Gun Violence Maintains its Vicious Grip
Gun violence remains a pressing concern in the United States in 2024. According to the Gun Violence Archive (GVA), as of February 15, the toll stands at a troubling 4,994 deaths and 3,351 injuries from gun-related incidents, averaging about 108 fatalities daily. Among the deceased, 147 were teenagers and 31 were children.
Contrastingly, there was a slight improvement from the previous year, with gun violence deaths and injuries dropping by at least 8% compared to 2022. Some cities even witnessed reductions exceeding 20%, as reported by the GVA.
In 2023, the nation saw 43,065 gun-related fatalities, accompanied by over 36,000 injuries. Notably, excluding suicides, gun deaths reached their lowest point since 2020, while injuries dipped to levels last seen in 2019.
Tragically, the year 2024 has already seen over 49 mass shootings, with incidents claiming 4 or more victims. These events have resulted in more than 80 deaths and over 170 injuries, underscoring the persistent threat of mass violence in American society.
Extrajudicial Killings: Not a New Phenomenon in America
Recent events echo past deadly confrontations between the New York Police Department and Bangladeshi individuals.
On Wednesday, March 27, 2024, Win Rozario, a 19-year-old Bangladeshi immigrant, tragically lost his life during an encounter with the police. According to John Cell, the chief of patrol, officers responded to a 911 call reporting Rozario in a state of mental distress. Chief Cell did not specify the number of shots fired, while Rozario’s family claimed it was 6.
This incident brings to mind previous tragedies. On January 4, 2023, Saeed Faisal, a Bangladeshi youth, met a similar fate at the hands of Massachusetts police. Likewise, on July 18, Yazuddin Ahmedwas fatally shot at a gas station in Saint Louis, Missouri.
The pattern of Bangladeshi individuals being killed in the US, whether by law enforcement or terrorists, is distressingly familiar. In 2018, Ariful Yakub Rony, 24, was shot in a Flatbush apartment, succumbing to his wounds, while another Bangladeshi youth was stabbed during the altercation. Despite media attention, investigations into these incidents often remain undisclosed.
In October 2015, freedom fighter Mushtaq Ahmed fell victim to terrorists in Florida. Amid a string of Bangladeshi fatalities, the murders of Italian citizen Cesare Tavella and Japanese citizen Kunio Hoshi prompted action from the US Embassy. However, the involvement of US Ambassador Bernicutt appeared to wane over time.
While the Biden administration focuses its attention on international matters like electoral integrity and human rights, it overlooks serious domestic issues regarding law enforcement and public safety. This inattention to problems at home is underscored by tragic cases where immigrants from nations such as Bangladesh have been killed extrajudicially within the United States.
Sanctions Over Human Rights Abuses: Is America Practicing What It Preaches?
In January 2023, widespread protests erupted following the killing of Saeed Faisal, drawing participation from Bangladeshis in both Bangladesh and the United States, with support from the Foreign Office of Bangladesh. Media coverage and public discourse on these events began, and then, on May 24, the United States Minister of Foreign Affairs, Anthony J. Blinken, announced a new visa policy. The primary aim was to suppress the protests occurring both on the streets and across social media platforms concerning the killings of Bangladeshi individuals in various incidents.
Furthermore, on December 10, 2021, International Human Rights Day, the United States Treasury Department, in conjunction with the State Department, imposed sanctions on 7 former and current officers of Bangladesh’s law enforcement agency, RAB, citing allegations of human rights abuses. Such sanctions, based on a unilateral interpretation of human rights violations, are seldom seen.
These recent deaths contribute to a troubling pattern of fatal encounters involving shooters, law enforcement, and Bangladeshi individuals, echoing similar tragedies involving Bangladeshi victims in recent years. Despite the outcry and efforts for change, there remains a significant blind spot in America’s approach to addressing extrajudicial killings and upholding human rights within its borders.
The cycle of violence is perpetuating, and communities reel from the repercussions of yet another tragedy. The recent incidents involving Bangladeshi victims highlight a disturbing trend of fatal encounters, raising concerns about the efficacy of current policies and the protection of vulnerable communities. Despite sporadic improvements and diplomatic gestures, the underlying issues persist, leaving many to wonder: when will meaningful action be taken to address systemic injustices and ensure the safety and dignity of all individuals within American borders?
