Prayer Service, Funeral On Friday For San Jose Couple Fatally Shot

SAN JOSE - A prayer service and funeral is scheduled on Friday for a couple found fatally shot at a home in San Jose's Evergreen neighborhood earlier this week and whose sons were arrested in connection with their deaths.

Golam Rabbi, 59, and Shamima Rabbi, 57, were both found shot at least once in the 3000 block of Lucas Court, where officers responded to a report of suspicious circumstances around 1:45 p.m. Sunday, police said. The pair was pronounced dead at the scene, according to police.

The couple's sons, 22-year-old Hasib Bin Golamrabbi and a 17-year-old boy, are suspects in their parents' deaths and were arrested Wednesday, according to police.

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Family friend Hasan Rahim said it has been difficult to reconcile with the violent way in which the couple's lives ended. The couple was "extremely polite and humble," said Rahim, who knew them for more than 20 years.

Golam and Shamima Rabbi were immigrants from Bangladesh and part of Evergreen Islamic Center, a mosque where they were active members for about 15 years, Rahim said.

Rahim remembered Golam Rabbi as a generous man who always volunteered his time for the community, including clearing land for the center's new mosque currently under construction.

Golam Rabbi, who worked as a quality assurance engineer for many years, also opened his home to relatives who needed a place to stay until they got on their feet.

Family and friends were stunned when they heard the news of the couple's deaths and hope to find closure with the tragedy at Friday's prayer and funeral services, Rahim said.

About 500 people are expected to attend a "Jumah," a weekly congregational service scheduled for 1:30 p.m. followed by a funeral prayer called a "Janazah" at the Muslim Community Association at 3003 Scott Blvd. in Santa Clara.

The group will then attend a burial service at Five Pillars Farm Cemetery at 1761 Laughlin Road in Livermore.

Police initially said Golam Rabbi was not a suspect in the case and sought to question him, but over the course of the investigation suspected he played a role in the fatal shootings. The 22-year-old man was found in Tracy and has been booked into Santa Clara County Jail, where he is being held without bail, according to police.

The teenage brother who had spoken with investigators earlier in the week was later identified as a suspect and was arrested Wednesday, police said. The 17-year-old boy is being held in Santa Clara County Juvenile Hall, police said.

There are no other suspects in the case, according to police.

The teenager was a student at Evergreen High School and school officials are cooperating with the police investigation, East Side Union High School District Superintendent Chris Funk said.

The district is offering students more counselors and support staff to cope with the loss. "We are in shock and disbelief regarding this tragic event," Funk said in a statement.

"We want to reassure parents that our school is and remains a safe place for our students and staff," Funk said.

Anyone with information on the case is asked to speak with either Detective Sgt. Pat Guire or Detective Ken Tran at (408) 277-5283.

Those who wish to remain anonymous can call Silicon Valley Crime Stoppers at (408) 947-7867.

-Bay City News, image via ShutterStock