Javed Akhtar – Jack of Diamonds, Connecticut

When 32-year-old Javed Akhtar was fatally shot outside his convenience store in East Windsor, Connecticut, on a cold winter night in 2007, his wife, their two young children, and a community of loyal customers were desperate for answers. Police soon found the murder weapon, but solving the case wouldn’t be simple, and the investigation stalled for years. Now, after reviewing case files for this episode of The Deck, investigators are pursuing new leads on three suspects, including one man with a direct link to that gun.

Javed Akhtar - Jack of Diamonds - Connecticut Playing Card

Courtesy of Connecticut Cold Case Unit

Episode Info

If you have any information about the death of Javed Akhtar, please contact the Connecticut Cold Case Unit at 1-866-623-8058 or email cold.case@ct.gov.

While looking at crime scene photos taken on the night of Feb. 28, 2007 at the One Stop convenience store in East Windsor, a detective points out the area where Javed Akhtar was found shot.

While looking at crime scene photos taken on the night of Feb. 28, 2007 at the One Stop convenience store in East Windsor, a detective points out the area where Javed Akhtar was found shot. Photo taken by audiochuck staff
Detective Scott Roberts (left) and Chief Matthew Carl (right) review files in Javed Akhtar’s case at the East Windsor Police Department.

Detective Scott Roberts (left) and Chief Matthew Carl (right) review files in Javed Akhtar’s case at the East Windsor Police Department. Photo taken by audiochuck staff
17 years after Javved Akhtar was shot, Detective Scott Roberts visits the scene of the shooting. The convenience store, once called the One Stop and owned by Akhtar, now has new owners and has been renamed In N’ Out Convenience.

17 years after Javved Akhtar was shot, Detective Scott Roberts visits the scene of the shooting. The convenience store, once called the One Stop and owned by Akhtar, now has new owners and has been renamed In N’ Out Convenience. Photo taken by audiochuck staff
A crime scene photo shows the many fingerprints left behind by customers on the door to the One Stop convenience store owned by Javed Akhtar in East Windsor.

A crime scene photo shows the many fingerprints left behind by customers on the door to the One Stop convenience store owned by Javed Akhtar in East Windsor. Photo taken by audiochuck staff
The entrance to Mill Pond Village apartments, where witnesses told police they saw two men running shortly after Javed Akhtar was shot at his convenience store on Depot Street.

The entrance to Mill Pond Village apartments, where witnesses told police they saw two men running shortly after Javed Akhtar was shot at his convenience store on Depot Street. Photo taken by audiochuck staff
The railroad tracks and fence leading to the Mill Pond Village apartment complex. Witnesses told police they saw two men running toward the apartments, hopping over the fence, shortly after Javed Akhtar was shot at his convenience store on Depot Street.

The railroad tracks and fence leading to the Mill Pond Village apartment complex. Witnesses told police they saw two men running toward the apartments, hopping over the fence, shortly after Javed Akhtar was shot at his convenience store on Depot Street. Photo taken by audiochuck staff
Chief Matthew Carl reviews files in Javed Akhtar’s case at the East Windsor Police Department.

Chief Matthew Carl reviews files in Javed Akhtar’s case at the East Windsor Police Department. Photo taken by audiochuck staff
Detective Scott Roberts reviews files in Javed Akhtar’s case at the East Windsor Police Department.

Detective Scott Roberts reviews files in Javed Akhtar’s case at the East Windsor Police Department. Photo taken by audiochuck staff

Episode Source Material