Imam shot outside New Jersey mosque, dies; Shooter at large
The imam was shot Wednesday outside the Masjid-Muhammad-Newark Mosque in the city of Newark, New Jersey. It is unclear what led to the violence and authorities are investigating. A manhunt has been launched to catch the suspect.
Newark: In another case of gun violence in the United States, an imam was shot outside a mosque in Newark, New Jersey, on Wednesday (local time), leaving the area in shock. The victim was rushed to a nearby hospital but later succumbed to his injuries, CNN reported. Authorities are still investigating the reason behind the shooting. However, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy has assured that he will do what he can to protect the mosque. The victim’s imam was identified as Hassan Sharif. According to authorities, Sharif was immediately taken to a nearby university hospital and was said to be in critical condition.
New Jersey police have launched a manhunt to arrest the gunman, saying they have not yet found evidence that anti-Muslim bias played a role in the shooting, the Associated Press news agency reported.
Shooting in New Jersey
The imam was shot outside the Masjid-Muhammad-Newark Mosque around 6 a.m., Newark Public Safety Director Fritz Frage said. Even after hours, police had no one in custody, and the gunman is at large. It is also not clear what led to the violence and whether the imam was the target.
Frage stated that the investigation is ongoing and no other information is available. A message asking for more information was left at the mosque.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations in New Jersey (CAIR-NJ), the largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization in the country, is also gathering details and encouraging eyewitnesses to contact local law enforcement.
“We are deeply concerned about this incident and pray for the Imam’s speedy recovery,” CAIR-NJ spokesperson Dina Sayedahmed said in a statement.
Responding to the killing, Governor Murphy assured that authorities would do everything possible for the safety of the Muslim community and people of all faiths. “At a time when the Muslim community is concerned about an increase in bias incidents and crimes, I would like to reassure the Muslim community and people of all faiths that we will do everything in our power to keep all residents safe, especially in or near our places of worship.”
Further research is being conducted.