Differing Reports On Neighbor’s Killing

Since Westminster Road’s Mahiuddin Mahmud was brutally killed in Kensington early Tuesday morning, news outlets have been reporting more on different facets of the investigation.

Around 8pm Tuesday night, police arrested Rasel Siddiquee (above; previously identified as Mohammed Siddiquee) at Kennedy Airport as he was readying to board a flight to Kuwait. Police were able to track him to JFK because he used his credit card to buy his ticket.

The New York Times says Siddiquee, originally from Bangladesh, was hoping to return home via a connecting flight. Up until the time of the murder, Siddiquee had been renting a basement apartment from Mr. Mahmud at 546 McDonald Avenue, where Mr. Mahmud’s body was found (and where Mr. Mahmud had a basement office). The Times also revealed yesterday that a sword was used in the killing, for which he is being charged with second-degree murder.

Money seems to be a key factor in Siddiquee’s actions–ABC initially reported an open safe in the building with $20,000 missing, and Mr. Mahmud’s brother Hanif told the Times that Siddiquee rarely paid rent and didn’t seem to have steady employment.

A police source also told The New York Daily News that Siddiquee had felt “humiliated” about his economic status and ability to pay for his accommodations. News 12, however, says Mr. Mahmud’s family mentioned a possible dispute between the two men over travel documents that Siddiquee needed.

As for whether the murder was preventable is another question. The New York Post reported that Mr. Mahmud had called 911 around 8pm on Monday, January 6–about four hours before his brother and wife found him. While police had responded to the building, the paper says, second floor tenants cops spoke to reported no disturbances, and the basement went unchecked.

The Times’ report varies in that while cops are said to have responded to the 8pm call, they found the building closed and left without further investigation.

Our hearts are with Mr. Mahuddin’s loved ones, and we hope they will get some sense of justice and peace in the coming proceedings.