Baltimore Youth Murders His Father

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A Catonsville neighborhood and the community of Masjid Fatima is reeling from the shock of a murder in their community. Not just a murder but a murder of a father by his own 18-year-old son. On August 18, 2015, Shakeel Ahmed Abbasi, 50, was found dead at his home. His son, Muhammad Abbasi, aka Muhammad Hasnet Shakeelabbasi, was on the run. [Father and son pictured on the right]

 

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On the way to Pennsylvania, the teen texted a relative in New Jersey, asking him to check on his father. The initial police investigation into the incident has indicated that the victim’s wife, Aasia Khatoon, received a call from New Jersey asking her about her husband, according to police. She called 911 when she found him bloody and immobile in his room. There was reportedly evidence of stab wounds and bludgeoning at the scene.


According to the local news channels, investigators say Mrs. Abbasi was home at the time of the murder, but it’s unclear what she may have seen or heard that morning.


As of publication, Shakeelabassi has been returned to Maryland. After a bail review hearing on Thursday, August 27, 2015, the teen was ordered to be held without bail at the Baltimore County Detention Center, court records show.


Mohammad Idrees of Baltimore, is a close friend and neighbor for the past fourteen years. News channels identified him as a relative. Also a cab driver, Idrees is still in mourning. “He is still in my memories. Every week or so, I used to talk to him,” he says.


Shakeelabbasi, in statement to police, has admitted to the murder and to running away from the family home, say Idrees. He was arrested in Pennsylvania , where he was standing next to his father's gray Honda van, which he stole after killing him, police said.


A cab driver, Abbassi had migrated from the city of Rawalpindi, Pakistan, but was originally from the lush mountains of Murree. He made a home in a neighborhood halfway between Masjid Rahmah and Masjid Fatima in Catonsville. Mufti Hamid, Imam of the Abbasi's local masjid, says his community is in mourning.”They are concerned but also fearful,” he says.


“‘How come this happened in our community’, is what everyone is wondering,” says Idrees.

“Last two weeks, our imam gave a gave a speech about parent-child, husband-wife and family matters,” he says, in reaction to this news. There are lots of teenagers in our community, and some parents are fearful of what is going on with our kids, says Idrees.


Idrees says that there were no obvious signs of domestic violence or abuse or any complaints from the parents about their son’s behavior. He also shrugged off suggestions of mental illness.


“He was a cool guy,” says a perplexed Idrees. Shakeelabasi was good in school, according to his father’s friend and had just graduated from Lansdowne High School, where he ran track and cross-country at the county level. He prayed at the masjid, he was good in Islamic Studies. Idrees says that even on the day of the murder, Idrees Shakeelabbasi prayed Fajr and recited his daily tilawah.


Abbasi's wife is still in trauma. Left to fend for herself and her ten year old son, she has been unavailable for comments. The community has comforted the family and send their condolences. They are taking care of the food for the family, but wonder how will the widow survive after this terrible tragedy. “We are still wondering what happened. We are still in shock,” says Idrees. Until the case go to court, they can only speculate on what occurred behind the doors of this close-knit home.


Innalilahi wa inna ilayhi rajioon. Keep the Abbasi family in your duas and ay assistance for the family can be directed to Masjid Fatima.

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