On the morning of August 20, 2008, 20-year-old male Fakhur Uddin, a Bangladeshi immigrant and community college student, was found murdered in his father's variety store in Philadelphia's Germantown neighborhood. Having immigrated to the United States from Bangladesh in 2001, Fakhur was assisting his ailing father by managing the family business, Rahman Body Oils, Beads and Variety. That day, he opened the store alone around 9:30 a.m.
When his father, Syed Alam, attempted to contact him an hour later without success, he grew concerned. After a neighboring store clerk reported the front door was open but the back door locked, Alam rushed to the store. Upon arrival, he discovered police on the scene, who informed him that his son had been found bound with duct tape and shot once in the head in the back room of the store.
The circumstances surrounding the murder were particularly perplexing. Although approximately $400 was missing from the cash register, there were no signs of a struggle, and merchandise, including jewelry, remained untouched. This led to questions about whether robbery was the true motive. The community was deeply shaken by the loss of the young man, who was known for his dedication to his family and his love of cricket. In the aftermath, local residents and business owners expressed their condolences and support for the grieving family.
Despite the passage of time, the case remains unsolved. No arrests have been made, and authorities have indicated that a lack of witnesses has hindered the investigation. Syed Alam has offered a $4,000 reward, supplemented by an additional $1,000 from the Germantown Business Association, for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible. He continues to operate the store, striving to provide for his remaining children while hoping for justice for his son.
