California brothers arrested in parents’ shooting deaths

A makeshift memorial of roses and prayer candles is seen outside the home of Shamima and Golam Rabbi, a couple found shot to death in San Jose, Calif., on April 28. AP

SAN JOSE, Calif.—Two California brothers were arrested in connection with the shooting deaths of their parents, who were popular fixtures at their mosque for three decades and had helped relatives emigrate from their native Bangladesh.

Hasib Bin Golam Rabbi, 22, and his 17-year-old brother were taken into custody on Thursday, after their parents were found slain Sunday in their San Jose home on a quiet cul de sac. Police didn’t release the teen’s name because of his age.

Word of the deaths of Shamima and Golam Rabbi and the arrest of their sons sent shock waves through the close-knit Muslims who worship at nearby Evergreen Islamic Center.

“Everybody is praying that it’s somebody else who did this and not the kids,” said Abdul Jaka, a co-founder of the mosque where the couple worshipped and attended holiday celebrations and other events. “They were a nice family.”

The victims’ nephew Golam Mustakim and his family emigrated from Bangladesh in 2000 and initially stayed with the Rabbis in their four-bedroom home.

A memorial of roses and prayer candles was created outside the home of the victims.

Jason Wong, 16, a classmate of the teen at Evergreen Valley High School, said the junior was “quiet and kept to himself mostly.” Wong, also a junior, said he saw the teen on campus on Monday, the day after his parents were found dead.

“I didn’t think anything was wrong then because I didn’t know his parents had died,” Wong said. “But now it seems strange.”

Relatives discovered the bodies, and it was not clear how long the couple had been dead, police spokesperson Sgt. Enrique Garcia said. No further details were released.

“This is one of those tragedies nobody ever wants to be in,” mosque spokesperson Faisal Yazadi said. “All we can do is pray.”

It was not immediately clear if the suspects have attorneys.

They were being held without bail. The older son is expected to be in court on Friday. An appearance date for the teen was not immediately available.