03/15/2007
Reward increases in EW convenience-store murder
By: Kory Loucks , Journal Inquirer
EAST WINDSOR - The reward for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of Javed Akhtar's killer has been increased from $2,500 to $5,000.
Akhtar was gunned down during what police have called a failed robbery attempt Feb. 28 in front of his One Stop Convenience store at 68 Depot Road in Broad Brook.
Police have no suspects in the case but are looking for two or three black men who were said to have left the scene in a black sport-utility vehicle and a red Ford Mustang.
Akhtar survived in intensive care at Hartford Hospital for 10 days on life support, but died early Saturday morning.
At a news conference at the state Capitol Wednesday, the Pakistani American Association of Connecticut offered a $2,500 reward.
Dr. M. Saud Anwar, PAACT president, said that after speaking again with East Windsor Police Chief Edward J. DeMarco Jr. his group was able to increase the reward to $5,000.
Akhtar's widow, Rafia Javed, said she sold the One Stop Convenience store Wednesday. "I haven't been back there since it happened," Javed said.
The convenience store is located across the street from the Mill Pond Village apartment complex.
Terry Doyle, the property manager for Mill Pond, said that the residents are very upset about Akhtar's death and are going to be holding a candlelight vigil for him.
Police Officer Bruce Everett, who is assigned to the apartment complex, said residents thought highly of Akhtar.
Everett said that sometimes residents did not have enough money to pay for items and Akhtar would let them pay later.
Javed and her children are living with family in Vernon now. She is planning to rent out the home that she and her husband own in Enfield. Her husband remodeled most of the house and Javed said she wants to keep the home as a reminder of him.
Javed said she believes she knows who committed the crime and said although he "knew that I am disabled with children, he didn't care."
Javed is permanently disabled from injuries sustained in a car accident.
Donations to the fund that has been established for the family can be sent to PAACT - Javed Akhtar Support, P.O. Box 769, South Windsor, CT 06074-769.
Police are asking anyone with information regarding the shooting to call the detective division at 292-8240.
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