Bhuiyan had moved to Texas from New York as it was cheaper and a friend had offered a partnership at a gas station . After the September 11 attacks , day laborer Mark Anthony Stroman ( October 13 , 1969 – July 20 , 2011 ) went on a killing spree against people who he viewed as Muslim , with the apparent intention of seeking revenge for the 9/11 attacks . On September 15 , 2001 , Pakistani immigrant Waqar Hasan , 46 , was shot and killed inside of a grocery store located at 10819 Elam Rd. in Dallas , Texas . Six days later , Stroman , armed with a shotgun , walked into a convenience store located at 521 S. Buckner Blvd. in Dallas . Bhuiyan , who was working behind the counter and believed Stroman was robbing him , began to collect money to hand over . As Stroman approached the counter , he asked , " Where are you from ? " Before Bhuiyan could answer , Stroman shot him in the face . Bhuiyan ran to the barbershop next door , and a man in the shop called 911
September 11 attacks
September 11 attacks
Rais Bhuiyan