Rizanul Islam, a 20-year-old Bangladeshi man, was fatally shot during an attempted robbery in Atlanta, Georgia. The incident that led to his death began late on the night of September 10, 2017. Islam, an accountant, and his employer, 36-year-old Saiful Bhuyia, the owner of Southern Grocery, had just closed the store for the night and were in Bhuyia's vehicle when their ordeal began.
As they were preparing to leave, a white car with its headlights off pulled up beside them.
Three men were inside the other vehicle. One of the men, later identified as Jousha Routh, who was 21 at the time, exited the car and ran to the driver's side of Bhuyia's vehicle, demanding money. In a desperate attempt to escape, Bhuyia accelerated. It was then that Routh fired a. 40 caliber handgun into the car, striking both men. Bhuyia was hit in the upper back and neck and died at the scene, while Islam was struck in the head. Rizanul Islam was transported to Grady Memorial Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries a few days later.
The initial investigation provided few leads for the Atlanta Police Department. However, a crucial piece of evidence was discovered on Bhuyia's car: Routh's palm print. This, along with his phone records placing him at the scene, identified him as the primary suspect. In December 2017, Jousha Routh was arrested by the FBI in Ellenwood.
In February 2020, Jousha Routh was convicted of felony murder, criminal attempt to commit armed robbery, aggravated assault, criminal damage to property, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. He was sentenced to two consecutive life sentences plus 35 years in prison. In May 2025, the Georgia Supreme Court affirmed his conviction. While it was reported that Routh had two accomplices with him on the night of the murders, information regarding their identities or whether they were ever apprehended and charged has not been made publicly available.
