Cheektowaga Community Demands Justice Following Tragic Shooting of Young Man Over Parking Dispute

Cheektowaga, N.Y. — A wave of mourning and outrage engulfs a New York community as residents demand justice for the death of 20-year-old Md. Rawnaq Ratin, who was fatally shot this past Saturday during a dispute concerning a parking spot. Calls to label the killing a hate crime are intensifying after the tragic incident in Cheektowaga.

Over a hundred people gathered Monday evening for a memorial service at the Buffalo Muslim Center to honor Ratin’s life. Afterwards, they marched through the streets, their calls for action echoing throughout the neighborhood.

The incident occurred late Saturday afternoon when Cheektowaga Police responded to a distress call from Cedar Road and found Ratin suffering from a gunshot wound. Despite immediate life-saving efforts, he succumbed to his injuries at ECMC.

According to Shaikh Letif, a friend of Ratin who claims to have witnessed the event, the confrontation began over parking. Letif recounted that Ratin had initially parked along Cedar Road with his girlfriend when a man confronted them, insisting they move. Despite initially driving away, Ratin returned to retrieve his girlfriend’s car, encountering the man once more.

Describing the moments that followed, Letif recounted hearing a heated exchange and then a gunshot, which resulted in Ratin being fatally struck in the chest. Ratin’s last words, as remembered by Letif, were a poignant indication of the gravity of the situation, leaving those he left behind in deep trauma.

Authorities haven’t made any arrests, although they noted that the shooter called 911 to report himself and was taken into custody for questioning before being released.

The local and family community, mourning the young man described as unarmed during the incident, are adamant that his death was not just a simple case of violence but a targeted hate crime.

Ratin’s aunt, Rahat Tasnim, expressed her anger and sorrow, labeling the killing as an act of hate and reflecting broader social issues. “These people are monsters. They’re cold-blooded, and it could happen to anyone,” she stated.

In a robust display of communal solidarity, protesters, after leaving the prayer service, marched to the home of the alleged shooter, demanding justice for Ratin. Despite their vocal efforts, the grief among Ratin’s friends and family hints at a pain far deeper than what justice in court might soothe.

Ratin’s sister, Afia Anjum, expressed a profound sense of loss and skepticism about the possibility of achieving true justice. She reminisced about her brother’s altruistic nature, underscoring the permanence of their loss regardless of legal outcomes.

In memory of Ratin, a GoFundMe campaign has been initiated to support his family during this difficult time. As the community continues to rally, the incident foregrounds persistent issues of violence, community safety, and racial tensions, leaving the neighborhood on a quest not only for justice but for safer, more inclusive communal spaces.