An American mosque imam was killed by multiple gunshots in front of his mosque in Newark, according to reports from "France Presse" citing authorities in New Jersey, neighboring New York, who currently ruled out any racial motives for the crime. New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin stated, "We do not yet know the motive behind this crime, but the evidence gathered so far does not indicate that what happened was an act of bias or domestic terrorism." He continued, "In light of global events, and with the rising bias that many communities across our state are experiencing—particularly the Muslim community—many people in New Jersey are now feeling an increasing sense of fear."
Essex County Prosecutor Ted Stevens remarked that the mosque imam was shot multiple times. He noted that it does not appear the imam was a victim of a hate crime or that it relates to terrorism. "We are committed to achieving justice for the imam's family," he described the incident as a "heinous crime."
For its part, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced that the deceased had been working as a security screener at Newark Airport since 2006. TSA spokesperson Lisa Farbstein said, "We were deeply saddened to learn of his passing and send our condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues."
The attack occurred in front of the Muhammad Mosque in Newark. Later, the New Jersey chapter of CAIR organized a gathering in front of the Newark mosque "to demand that the shooters turn themselves in" to authorities. CAIR advised "all mosques to keep their doors open but to exercise caution given the rise in extremism and sectarianism against Muslims recently."
