LAKE COUNTY, Fla. — A Lake County grand jury has indicted a person accused of fatally capturing his sister-in-law final yr, and Florida prosecutors mentioned Wednesday they may search the demise penalty underneath a state legislation requiring capital punishment for unlawful aliens convicted of capital homicide.
State Lawyer Invoice Gladson introduced the indictment of 44-year-old Shadul Islam within the killing of Monica Islam, whose physique was found alongside a roadway close to Mount Dora on Might 2, 2025.
In keeping with investigators, Monica Islam disappeared after leaving a comfort retailer in Eustis the place her daughter labored. Hours later, a passerby discovered her physique close to the intersection of Wolf Department Highway and Scenic Hills Drive. She had been shot within the head.
Gladson mentioned detectives with the Lake County Sheriff’s Workplace used surveillance video, cellphone information and different digital proof to determine Shadul Islam because the suspect.
Authorities mentioned surveillance footage confirmed Monica Islam entering into the suspect’s car earlier than her disappearance. Investigators additionally positioned the car close to the placement the place her physique was later discovered. After executing a search warrant on the car, detectives discovered blood matching Monica Islam’s DNA, a shattered passenger-side window, and a bullet projectile lodged within the passenger door, Gladson mentioned.
Investigators additionally mentioned the suspect performed quite a few web searches associated to the murder earlier than legislation enforcement had publicly recognized the sufferer or disclosed particulars of the investigation. After the killing, authorities mentioned he rented a car and fled to New York.
Gladson mentioned the suspect had beforehand entered america illegally, had been deported, later returned illegally, and was prosecuted in federal court docket earlier than failing to report back to probation.
“What makes this case so tragic, except for clearly the terrible, horrible lack of harmless life, is that this crime was fully preventable,” Gladson mentioned, arguing that federal immigration enforcement failures allowed the defendant to stay within the nation.
WATCH: State Lawyer Invoice Gladson says failures in federal immigration enforcement allowed the defendant to stay within the U.S. earlier than the deadly capturing of Monica Islam.
Gladson: “What makes this case so tragic, except for clearly the terrible, horrible lack of harmless life, is… pic.twitter.com/if2DkqSA1b
— Florida’s Voice (@FLVoiceNews) July 8, 2026
Regulation enforcement finally positioned the suspect in New York on a federal immigration warrant. After finishing federal proceedings, he was returned to Lake County to face the homicide cost.
Gladson mentioned prosecutors included language within the indictment invoking a Florida legislation enacted in 2025 that mandates the demise penalty for unlawful aliens convicted of capital homicide.
“Within the indictment charging with first-degree homicide, we’ve the language in that statute that mandates that demise penalty is the one sentence lawful within the state of Florida,” Gladson mentioned.
Lake County Sheriff Peyton Grinnell praised detectives for fixing the case and introduced the county jail has accomplished compliance checks that can enable it to deal with as much as 120 detainees for federal immigration authorities.
Florida Chief Monetary Officer Blaise Ingoglia, who serves on the State Board of Immigration Enforcement, additionally spoke on the information convention, arguing the case demonstrates the results of unlawful immigration and sanctuary insurance policies.
“Let me be clear, each homicide, each rape, each baby molestation by an unlawful immigrant lies on the toes of politicians who push for open borders, defunding ICE, and people who vote for sanctuary insurance policies,” Ingoglia mentioned.
NOW: Florida CFO Blaise Ingoglia says the demise penalty must be imposed if the defendant is convicted within the Lake County homicide case, calling it one other instance of the results of unlawful immigration and sanctuary insurance policies.@GovGoneWild: “Each homicide, each rape, each… pic.twitter.com/3onjct1Mio
— Florida’s Voice (@FLVoiceNews) July 8, 2026
The case now strikes into the pretrial course of. Gladson mentioned the defendant will likely be appointed counsel earlier than discovery begins, including that the case is anticipated to spend not less than a yr in pretrial proceedings earlier than trial.
