Bangladeshi-origin NYPD officer Didarul Islam among 4 killed in Manhattan shooting
He was a Bangladeshi immigrant and his wife was eight-month pregnant
New York Police Department (NYPD) officer Didarul Islam, who was a Bangladeshi migrant, was among four people who were killed by a gunman in Manhattan yesterday (28 July).
Bite-Sized: How a Bangladeshi immigrant officer made the ultimate sacrifice
The gunman was identified as Shane Tamura, who killed himself following the shooting.
Didarul Islam, 36, was a veteran on the force and had served for three and a half years. He was assigned to the 47th precinct, reports Hindustan Times.
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He was a Bangladeshi immigrant and his wife was eight-month pregnant. Islam has two children, the NYPD police chief said.
"He made the ultimate sacrifice", Jessica S. Tisch, the police commissioner, said.
The police chief went on to state that Islam had put himself in harm's way and was shot in cold blood. He was 'wearing a uniform that stood for the promise he made to this city,' Tisch added.
"He died as he lived – a hero," she concluded.
Mayor Eric Adams said he was a person of faith, and hailed him as a 'true blue New Yorker'.
Tributes began to pour in for Didar, with Queens Shomrim, a volunteer organisation, stating "Queens Shomrim sends heartfelt condolences and support to the family, friends, and fellow officers of Officer Didarul Islam of the 47th Precinct. He made the ultimate sacrifice of keeping all of us safe while in the line of duty. We stand with the NYPD and the community during this difficult time."
The three others killed by the suspect were civilians.
Regarding the gunman, Tisch said he was believed to have acted alone, and investigators had yet to determine a possible motive for the shooting.
A photo of the suspect that CNN said was shared by police showing a gunman walking into the building carrying a rifle was published by a number of major news media outlets. Preliminary checks of the suspect's background did not show a significant criminal history, the report added, citing officials.
Nabid Mostafa Zisan, an official at the Bangladesh permanent mission to the UN, lamented the killing and said on a Facebook post, "May Allah help us."
Islam had joined the force in December 2021, and was off-duty yesterday, working as security for the Rudin Management Company. However, he was in uniform.
During the press conference in the aftermath of the shooting, it was also shared that Islam was hardworking and was proud to wear his uniform and shield. He went out each day to provide for his family, and did what he had to do, including working overtime, it was shared.
Islam's family is understandably devastated by the loss, including his wife, who is pregnant, and his father who won't get a chance to see his son again.
