NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — It has been almost one year since Nashwan Malaka was killed in a targeted shooting at a popular Kurdish market in south Nashville.
Officials with the Metro Nashville Police Department said a gunman entered through an unlocked back door, ran up behind Malaka while he was working and fired a shot in the back of his head. The shooter left out of the same back door. The entire incident lasted for only five seconds.
"He was such a great human being with a great soul, and he was kind to everyone. I just don't understand why someone would do that to him," Malaka's wife, Kajin Silevani, tearfully told NewsChannel 5.
Silevani married Malaka nine years ago after meeting in Kurdistan. They started a life in Nashville, which has the largest Kurdish population in the country. Silevani was two months pregnant with their child when he died. She has given birth and named their baby son after Malaka.
"I have three kids that are no longer going to have a father. If somebody out there knows something just come forward please," she said.
Silevani believes the gunman is from the local Kurdish community based on the description. She has never stepped foot inside the market since last November. She has been working with police to get people to come forward to find closure, not only for her family, but community as well.
"I honestly thought we would get justice a long time ago and we still haven't," Silevani added.
The motive remains under investigation.
Anyone with information about Malaka’s murder or recognizes the gunman is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 615-742-7463. Callers to Crime Stoppers can remain anonymous and qualify for a $12,000 cash reward.
