Imam killed in shooting outside Newark mosque Officers sought to identify and arrest the shooter, and while the motive wasn’t clear

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A Newark Police vehicle is parked outside the Masjid-Muhammad-Newark Mosque in Newark, N.J. on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024. A imam was shot and critically wounded early Wednesday morning outside the mosque as officers worked to identify and arrest the shooter. The victim was taken to nearby University Hospital and is in critical condition, authorities said. (WABC via AP)

Imam killed in shooting outside Newark mosque, shooter at large, authorities say.

NEWARK, N.J.  (  Web  News  )

A New Jersey imam shot outside a Newark mosque on Wednesday succumbed to gunshot wounds, authorities said.

New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin said that the imam’s loss will be felt across the state and city. He said the evidence doesn’t indicate a motive related to bias or terrorism.

A New Jersey imam was critically wounded in a shooting outside a mosque on Wednesday. Officers sought to identify and arrest the shooter, and while the motive wasn’t clear, the governor promised to do what’s possible to protect houses of worship.

The cleric was shot after 6 a.m. outside the Masjid-Muhammad-Newark Mosque, Newark Public Safety Director Fritz Fragé said in an emailed statement. The victim was taken to nearby University Hospital and is in critical condition, authorities said.  Hours later, police had no one in custody.

It’s unclear what led to the violence and if the imam was targeted. Fragé said the shooting is under investigation and no other information is available. A message seeking more information was left with the mosque.

Gov. Phil Murphy identified the victim as Imam Hassan Sharif. He noted that authorities have no information about who shot him, or why.

The New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, said it is gathering information and urged people to contact local police.

“We are deeply concerned about this incident and pray for the speedy recovery of the imam,” CAIR-NJ spokesperson Dina Sayedahmed said in a statement.

 

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