Shujauddin Omarkheil, a 27-year-old father of two, tragically lost his life on October 3, 2020, in a shooting at the East Market & Restaurant in Sacramento, California. The incident occurred in the afternoon when a gunman, identified as 33-year-old Hassibullah Shams Hassib, entered the Afghan grocery store and opened fire on the shoppers. Omarkheil, who had moved to the United States in 2018 through a special immigrant visa, was at the store with his four-year-old daughter when he was shot.
The attack also claimed the life of 19-year-old Abdul Mobeen, who succumbed to his injuries a few days later, and left one other man injured but expected to recover.
The shooting deeply affected the Afghan community in Sacramento, many of whom are refugees or immigrants who fled their war-torn country in search of a safer and better life. Omarkheil's death left his wife to care for their young children alone, in a country where she was still unfamiliar with the language and culture. The community rallied together, organizing fundraisers to cover hospital and funeral expenses and offering support to the grieving families.
Hassibullah Shams Hassib, the perpetrator of the shooting, took his own life immediately after the attack, leaving the community in shock and mourning. The Sacramento County Sheriff's Office conducted an investigation into the incident, but no clear motive was identified. The tragic event highlighted the vulnerabilities and challenges faced by immigrant communities, even in places they believed would offer them safety and security. The Afghan community in Sacramento continues to remember and honor the victims, while advocating for greater support and understanding for refugees and immigrants.
