Tanjim Siam’s family granted emergency visas, story catches attention of local politicians

BOSTON — The family of 25-year-old Tanjim Siam, who was shot in the head last week during a robbery, has been granted emergency visas to visit him in the U.S. as he remains on life support.

Boston 25 News has been in contact with Siam’s mother, 39-year-old Monowara Begum Moni, in Bangladesh. She doesn’t speak English, only Bengali.

Moni told Boston 25 News she can’t breathe thinking that she can’t be by her son’s hospital bedside.

Before Moni attended a visa interview in Bangladesh, she wanted to do a quick FaceTime interview with Boston 25 News, saying she is trying to be strong for her son and wants to hold his hand.

On Wednesday morning, Boston 25 News learned his family received their visas from the U.S. Embassy in Bangladesh. They are now trying to get tickets on a flight out of the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Two weeks ago, 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 Siam’s head, and he is on life support.

“I know that the police, it’s under investigation. I think they’ll be able to make some announcements in that case really soon,” said Mayor Marty Walsh.

Moni recalled her recent conversations with her son before he was critically wounded.

“‘Mom, if you were here, we would be doing so much together. Don’t worry, we won’t live this poor forever,‘” she recalled her son saying to her.

Siam comes from a very poor village in Bangladesh. He came to this country four months ago to go to school.

Moni told Boston 25 News she’s helpless and no one has been helping her.

Since then, Senators Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey saw our story and have been trying to help the family. Gov. Charlie Baker even reached out to Boston 25 News offering help for Siam’s family.

“He’s my everything, and Siam hasn’t been talking. I’ve been watching him on video, and I’ve been calling him, Siam Siam,” his mother said.

Since the shooting happened, Abdullah Faaruuq, a community leader at the mosque next door to the shooting, has been raising awareness.

“Helping them become educated, and self-sufficient, the expression is, it’s good to feed a person, but if you teach the person how to fish, so they can get his own fish,” said Faaruuq.

The language barrier has been so hard for the family, and Siam was the son that would do all of that.

Siam’s mom, dad, and two brothers, ages 6 and 14, have all been granted emergency visas.

As for the gunman, Walsh said there should be an announcement soon.

A GoFundMe page has been established to help pay for Siam’s medical expenses.

Cox Media Group