Prosecutors are aiming for the death penalty for a man who allegedly killed a Florida woman after re-entering the United States. Shahidul Islam, a 44-year-old Bangladeshi national, was indicted by a grand jury in Lake County on charges of first-degree premeditated murder related to the shooting death of his sister-in-law, Monica Islam, on May 2, 2025.
Monica was reported missing and later found with a fatal gunshot wound to the head. She was last seen walking towards Shahidul’s vehicle. Authorities noted that he had conducted several “suspicious” online searches on the morning of the incident.
A search warrant revealed blood matching Monica’s DNA and a bullet in Shahidul’s car, along with a broken passenger window. Following the alleged murder, he reportedly rented a car and made his way to New York City, where he was later apprehended with assistance from various law enforcement agencies.
Shahidul was extradited back to Lake County after being convicted for illegally entering the country. He is currently held without bail at the Lake County Detention Center. The state attorney’s office announced it would pursue the death penalty, emphasizing the severity of the crime and its effects on the victim’s family.
Florida Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia stated that no family should have to suffer such a violent loss, highlighting Shahidul’s illegal re-entry after deportation and his flight to a sanctuary city.
Ingoglia reinforced the state’s commitment to combating violent crime and illegal immigration, insisting that the safety of law-abiding residents remains a priority. The state attorney remarked that while legal actions can’t restore lost lives, they will strive for accountability against those responsible.
The Department of Homeland Security has not yet commented on the situation.
