JAMAICA — Friends and relatives of Nazma Khanam asked for the community's prayers while police offered a $10,000 reward for the capture and conviction of her killer during her funeral in Jamaica Friday.
Khanam, 60, a former language teacher from Bangladesh who is the aunt of an NYPD officer, was fatally stabbed while walking home Wednesday night. Her husband, who walks slowly because of poor health, was about a block behind her when she was killed.
“I ask everyone to pray for my wife,” said Shamsul Alam Khan, 75, outside the Jamaica Muslim Center at 85-37 168 St.
Khan then began to cry before being led away by friends.
Police released a video of a man they are looking to speak with in connection with the killing.
There was no clear motive for the killing, though investigators think it may have been a botched robbery.
Khanam's son, Naimul Alam Khan, said he was convinced it was a hate crime.
"It was not like any other crime. They don't take her money, they don't take her phone," said Naimul Kham, 29. "I'm really crying for my family."
Friends, relatives and community leaders packed into the community center to pay their final respects.
Public Advocate Letitia James said she also believed it was "not a robbery" after arriving at the funeral.
"We need a hedge of protection around this community," James said. "We don't know all the facts, but this has happened too often."
Police are offering a $2,500 reward upon the arrest and indictment of her killer and $7,500 after the person is convicted.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website at www.nypdcrimestoppers.com.
