Bushra Mawry, a 36-year-old Arab American woman, was tragically killed on June 1, 2023, while visiting a friend in Westland, Michigan. A mother and a dedicated activist, she was at a co-worker's apartment when a man, later identified as Amir Patterson, forced his way into the residence and opened fire. Mawry was struck as she tried to flee the violent rampage. Another individual, a 32-year-old man from Romulus, was also wounded in the shooting but survived his injuries. Bushra Mawry was rushed to a nearby hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries.
The investigation quickly led police to 28-year-old Amir Patterson of Taylor, who was arrested without incident in Detroit seven days after the shooting. Prosecutors revealed that the motive for the attack was Patterson's anger towards his ex-girlfriend, who was Mawry's friend and co-worker. He had become enraged when his ex-girlfriend did not give him the attention he wanted, leading to the deadly home invasion. Patterson, who has a history of violent crimes dating back to 2014 and was on parole for manslaughter at the time of the shooting, was charged with first-degree murder, assault with intent to murder, first-degree home invasion, and multiple firearm-related felonies.
In October 2025, a Wayne County Circuit Court judge sentenced Amir Patterson, also known by the street name 'Rouge Reaper,' to 75 years in prison for the murder of Bushra Mawry. During the emotional sentencing hearing, where family members expressed their profound grief and loss, the judge referred to Patterson as 'evil.' Patterson showed no remorse for his actions and even yelled at Mawry's grieving family in court. Bushra Mawry was remembered by her family as a kind and selfless person who founded the organization Hand in Hand Yemen to provide aid during the country's humanitarian crisis. She leaves behind a son who was 12 years old at the time of her death.
