Faruk Bhuiya, a 48-year-old Bangladeshi immigrant, was tragically killed on November 10, 2018, during a robbery at the Metro Food Mart in northwest Houston, Texas. Bhuiya, who worked as a convenience store clerk, was shot in the face by one of the robbers, Jose Bonilla-Ortiz, an 18-year-old suspect. The incident occurred when Bhuiya attempted to close a security door to prevent the robbers from entering the cashier area.
Bonilla-Ortiz managed to wedge his weapon between the door and door jam, firing a fatal shot that struck Bhuiya.
The surveillance footage from the store showed two men in hooded sweatshirts entering the store around 9 PM on the night of the incident. Bonilla-Ortiz, wearing a dark hoodie, was identified as the shooter, while the second suspect, who wore a red hoodie, has yet to be identified or apprehended. Bhuiya's wife, Phyllis, who lived with him in a house directly behind the store, expressed her grief and desire for justice.
Bonilla-Ortiz, who has no prior criminal history in Harris County, was arrested on November 17, 2018, and charged with murder. He is being held on a $250,000 bond and is set to appear in court. Jail records indicate that Immigration and Customs Enforcement placed a detainer on Bonilla-Ortiz, as he is not believed to be a U.S. citizen. He was previously deported from the United States in 2016, although it is unclear where he is originally from.
The case has garnered significant attention, with the Houston Police Department urging anyone with information about the second suspect to come forward. Bhuiya's death has left a lasting impact on the community, with many mourning the loss of a beloved store clerk and calling for justice to be served.
