The 23-year-old international student who sustained critical injuries during a violent home invasion in Darwin has died.
MD Ishaqur Rahman Sifat had been in intensive care at Royal Darwin Hospital since the alleged attack on Wednesday morning.
NT Police announced in a statement released on Thursday night that he had passed away and said Major Crime detectives were now investigating the incident as a homicide.
A 29-year-old man who was arrested in connection to the incident remains in custody.
Sifat’s housemates were awoken about 4.25am Wednesday morning to the sound of someone in their backyard, per the Northern Territory News.
Detective Senior Sergeant Paul Morrissey said at a press conference on Thursday afternoon that the housemates chased the alleged intruder away and then found Sifat on his bed with “apparent head trauma”.
Senior Sergeant Morrissey said police arrested the 29-year-old a short time later after they saw him siting in a car near the scene, and a vehicle search uncovered several items which appeared to be stolen from the Milner residence.
Sifat only arrived in Darwin a few months ago to complete his Masters in Information Sciences at Charles Darwin University, per the ABC.
CDU Vice-Chancellor Scott Bowman said members of Sifat’s extended family arrived in Darwin on Wednesday night and the university was working to fly his parents over.
Hours after the student’s devastating passing, the CDU Bangladeshi Student Association said the community was “shaken by this tragic loss”.
“It is with a heavy heart that we share the devastating news of the passing of our beloved friend and fellow student, MD Ishaqur Rahman (Sifat),” the association wrote on Facebook.
“After being heavily assaulted by an intruder, he fought bravely in the ICU but sadly succumbed to his injuries at 4.35pm today.
“Our whole community is shaken by this tragic loss. May his soul find eternal peace in the presence of Allah. Let us come together in love and support for his family and friends during his time of grief.”
Chief Minister for the Northern Territory Natasha Fyles took to Facebook to share her condolences.
“As the Northern Territory’s Chief Minister I extend my deepest condolences to all who knew and loved MD Ishaqur Rahman Sifat,” she said.
“Our thoughts are with his family, the Bangladeshi community, and all our international students.
“We are here for you. And we stand with you. Unequivocally.
“This is not the Northern Territory we know and love.”
Earlier on Thursday, the Bangladeshi Students Association held a peaceful demonstration against violence in support of MD Ishaqur Rahman Sifat.
“This incident has shaken our entire CDU and local Darwin community, and we refuse to stay silent in the face of such heinous acts,” the Facebook event description read.
“As international students and student association members, we want the government to pay attention and take immediate action to address our safety concerns.”
