In a grave legal development, prosecutors are pushing for the death penalty in the case of an illegal immigrant accused of a heinous crime in Florida. The individual in question, having previously been deported, allegedly murdered a Florida woman and subsequently sought refuge in a sanctuary city.
This case involves 44-year-old Shahidul Islam, a Bangladeshi national. On Wednesday, he was formally charged by a grand jury in Lake County, Florida. The indictment accuses him of premeditated first-degree murder in connection with the fatal shooting of his sister-in-law, Monica Islam, on May 2, 2025.
The tragic series of events began on the same day authorities noted Monica Islam as missing. She was last seen heading toward Shahidul Islam’s vehicle. Later, her body was discovered with a gunshot wound to the head by the roadside, unveiling the grim reality of her murder, as detailed by State Attorney Bill Gladson from the Fifth Judicial Circuit.
Critical to the investigation were the online activities of Shahidul Islam on the morning of the incident. Authorities revealed he engaged in numerous searches deemed “suspicious,” adding a layer of suspicion to his actions leading up to the crime.
Shahidul Islam stands accused not only of illegal reentry into the United States after deportation but also of committing a chilling crime against a family member. The indictment against him reflects the gravity of the offense and the pursuit of justice for his sister-in-law’s untimely death.
A search warrant uncovered bloodstains matching Monica Islam’s DNA in Shahidul Islam’s car, along with a bullet lodged in the passenger door and a shattered passenger window.
Following the killing, Gladson said Shahidul Islam rented a car and drove to New York City.
He was later tracked down in a joint effort between local, state and federal law enforcement partners.
State Attorney Bill Gladson of the Fifth Judicial Circuit provides an update on the Lake County, Fla., killing during a news conference. (WOFL)
After being prosecuted and sentenced for his unlawful entry into the U.S., Shahidul Islam was extradited back to Lake County. He is currently being held without bond at the Lake County Detention Facility.
Gladson’s office announced on Wednesday it is seeking the death penalty, citing the severe nature of the crime and its impact on the victim’s family.
“No family should ever have to endure the pain of such a senseless and horrific act of violence as this one,” Florida Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia wrote in a statement. “Shahidul Islam illegally entered our country after being deported, committed this heinous crime, and then fled to a sanctuary city.”
Officials said the suspect allegedly fled to New York City, a sanctuary city, following the killing. (iStock)
Ingoglia added Florida “will continue to stand firm against violent crime, sanctuary cities and illegal immigration,” and “will never apologize for putting the safety of law-abiding families first.”
Gladson said that while “no prosecution can restore the life that was taken,” his office intends to “pursue justice on their behalf and hold this offender accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) did not immediately respond to News Media’s request for comment.