World News | Imam Killed in Shooting Outside Newark Mosque, Shooter at Large, Authorities Say
Get latest articles and stories on World at LatestLY. A New Jersey imam shot outside a Newark mosque on Wednesday succumbed to gunshot wounds, authorities said.
Newark (US), Jan 4 (AP) 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 does not indicate a motive related to bias or terrorism.
Also Read | Omicron BA.5 More Deadlier COVID-19 Variants and Flu, Says US Centers for Disease Control.
Officers sought to identify and arrest the shooter, and while the motive was not clear, the governor promised to do what is possible to protect houses of worship.
The cleric was shot after 6 am 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, authorities said.
Hours later, police had no one in custody.
It is 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.
Governor Phil Murphy identified the victim as Imam Hassan Sharif. He noted that authorities have no information about who shot him, or why.
"At a time when the Muslim community is concerned by an increase of bias incidents and crimes, I want to assure 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 houses of worship," Murphy's statement said.
The New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organisation, said it is gathering information and urged people to contact local police. (AP)
(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)