Prosecutors in Lake County, Florida, are seeking the death penalty for 44‑year‑old Shahidul Islam, indicted for the May 2, 2025, shooting death of his sister‑in‑law, Monica Islam. Investigators say Monica was found with a gunshot wound to the head after last being seen approaching Islam's vehicle; DNA and ballistic evidence were reportedly recovered from the car. Authorities say Islam, who had been deported previously and later re‑entered the U.S., fled to New York City and was later captured and extradited back to Florida, where he remains held without bond.
Prosecutors Seek Death Penalty for Deported Immigrant Indicted in Sister‑in‑Law's Killing
State Attorney Bill Gladson of the Fifth Judicial Circuit provides an update on the Lake County, Fla., killing during a news conference.
Prosecutors in Lake County, Florida, announced they will seek the death penalty for 44‑year‑old Shahidul Islam, a Bangladeshi national indicted on a charge of premeditated first‑degree murder in the May 2, 2025, death of his sister‑in‑law, Monica Islam.
State Attorney Bill Gladson of the Fifth Judicial Circuit said Monica Islam was reported missing on May 2 and was found hours later at the side of the road with a gunshot wound to the head. Investigators say she was last seen walking toward Shahidul Islam's vehicle.
Evidence and Investigation
Search warrant evidence recovered from Islam's car reportedly included bloodstains that matched Monica Islam's DNA, a bullet lodged in the passenger‑side door and a shattered passenger window. Prosecutors also said investigators uncovered numerous online searches by the defendant the morning of the killing.
Officials said the suspect allegedly fled to New York City, a sanctuary city, following the killing.
Flight, Apprehension and Extradition
According to authorities, Shahidul Islam rented a car after the killing and traveled to New York City. He was later located and arrested in a coordinated effort by local, state and federal law enforcement partners. Following his arrest, he was prosecuted and sentenced for unlawful re‑entry into the United States and then extradited back to Lake County to face the murder charge. He is being held without bond at the Lake County Detention Facility.
Prosecutorial Action and Official Statements
“No prosecution can restore the life that was taken,” State Attorney Bill Gladson said, adding his office will seek justice on behalf of the victim’s family and hold the alleged offender accountable to the fullest extent of the law.
Florida Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia condemned the act and noted that Islam had been deported previously and, in Ingoglia’s statement, later re‑entered the country before the alleged killing. Ingoglia added that Florida will "stand firm against violent crime, sanctuary cities and illegal immigration."
The Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Case Status
Islam has been indicted by a Lake County grand jury on a premeditated first‑degree murder charge. Prosecutors have announced they will seek the death penalty given the severity of the alleged crime and its impact on the victim’s family. The case will proceed through the state criminal justice process.
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