Do you know who murdered Javed Akhtar? On a cold February evening in 2007, a 32-year-old man of Pakistani descent, Other Javed Akhtar, was fatally shot outside his place of business in East Windsor, Connecticut. The incident, which occurred on February 28, 2007, at the One Stop Convenience Store located at 68 Depot Street, is believed to have been an apparent robbery attempt. Akhtar, the owner of the store, was discovered on the ground with a bullet wound to his neck.
He was rushed to Hartford Hospital in critical condition and, after more than a week, succumbed to his injuries.
In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, police had limited evidence to work with. Eyewitnesses reported seeing two men running from the scene towards the Mill Pond Village apartments shortly after the shooting. Early leads in the investigation pointed towards two to three Black men and a possible getaway vehicle described as either a red Ford Mustang or a black SUV. In the wake of his death, members of the Pakistani community offered a reward for information, and there was some speculation that the crime may have been motivated by hate.
Despite the passage of time and the case growing cold, law enforcement has continued to seek justice for Javed Akhtar, who left behind a wife and two young children. Investigators were able to recover the murder weapon, a significant piece of evidence in the case. In a recent development, it was revealed that detectives are pursuing new leads concerning three suspects, one of whom has a direct connection to the firearm used in the homicide. As of late 2025, no arrests have been made, and the investigation into the death of Javed Akhtar remains an open and active cold case. A substantial reward is being offered for any information that leads to the apprehension and conviction of the individual or individuals responsible for his death.
