Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has expressed deep condolences to the family of Bangladeshi-origin US police officer Didarul Islam, who was killed in a gunman’s attack in New York in July this year.

Yunus met the bereaved family members at his hotel in New York on Sunday night (local time), where he handed over a crest as a mark of respect.

Didarul’s father Mohammad Abdur Rab, mother Minara Begum, sons Ayhan Islam and Azhan Islam, brother Kamrul Hasan, nephew Adian Hasan, sister Nadima Begum, and paternal uncle Ahmed Jamal Uddin attended the meeting.

National Citizen Party (NCP) Member-Secretary Akhter Hossen and Senior Joint Member-Secretary Dr Tasnim Jara, who are accompanying the Chief Adviser on his US trip, were also present.

Consoling the family, Prof Yunus said, “I read about the incident in the newspapers and was utterly shocked. I could not comprehend how such a tragedy could happen. On television, I saw the massive gathering at his final farewell in New York. He received profound respect and love from thousands of people. When I was planning my visit to New York, I felt it was essential to meet you.”

Family members said Didarul, who joined the New York Police Department (NYPD) in 2021 and was serving at the 47th Precinct in the Bronx, was a dedicated and widely respected officer.

On July 28, Didarul was fatally shot on Park Avenue in Manhattan when a gunman stormed into a high-rise corporate building, opened fire indiscriminately, and later killed himself. Didarul was struck by eight to ten bullets while trying to stop the attacker and protect others. He left behind two young sons.

MN/