After a 30-hour journey, family of Roxbury clerk shot during robbery arrives to say final goodbyes

BOSTON — A Roxbury clerk shot on the job remains in the hospital on life support.

After weeks of trying to see their loved one, his family spent over 30 hours to get to Boston from Bangladesh.

Boston 25 News Reporter Malini Basu has been following this story for weeks, even talking to the victim’s family several times a day. As the family landed, Malini spoke to Tanjim Siam’s mother on Facetime in Bengali.

“Dubai is nice, we spent 4 hours on a layover there,” said Siam’s mother, Monowara Begum Moni.

The family of four was exhausted and anxious as they flew on a plane for the first time in their lives. Malini, Moni, and Humayun Morshed, from the Boston Convenience Store Association spent hours on the phone with Emirates on Saturday evening, Bangladesh time. Getting a flight out of Dhaka, Bangladesh was nearly impossible.

As we wanted to keep Moni calm, we asked her about the flight and what they ate.

“We had rice, fish, and dessert on board,” said Moni.

For Siam’s mother, father, and brothers, who are 6 and 14 years old, this was their first time flying. Not understanding what is happening to his older brother, the 6-year-old was showing Malini his toys and was smiling.

It was three weeks ago when 25-year-old Tanjim Siam was shot while working at M & R convenience store on Shawmut Avenue in Roxbury.

Police say the gunman walked in, robbed the place, then made Siam get down on his knees before shooting him in the head twice.

Two bullets remain lodged in his head, and he is on life support.

Siam moved to the country four months ago, hoping to go to college.

While Moni doesn’t know what to expect when she sees her son in the hospital bed, the 39-year-old mother says she is thankful to Senators Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey and other local politicians for helping her get here.

“I hope I get to see everyone and thank them for what they are doing for my family,” said Moni.

This news has also caught the attention of Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker, and Boston Mayor Marty Walsh.

In the meantime, no arrests have been made, but we are hoping to hear an announcement soon.

Family friends set up a GoFundMe account, hoping it will help them pay for medical bills. You can help donate to it by clicking on this link.

Moni says she truly believes Siam will give her some type of response as she holds his hands in the hospital.

Cox Media Group