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NYC imam & assistant fatally shot near Queens mosque | NYC imam & assistant fatally shot near Queens mosque |
(about 2 hours later) | |
A New York City imam and his assistant have died of their injuries after reportedly being attacked by a lone gunman on their way home from leaving a mosque in Queens. The attack is feared to be a hate crime against Muslims. | A New York City imam and his assistant have died of their injuries after reportedly being attacked by a lone gunman on their way home from leaving a mosque in Queens. The attack is feared to be a hate crime against Muslims. |
The shootings occurred close to the Al-Furqan Jame Masjid mosque in the Ozone Park neighborhood, where the men had been attending afternoon prayers. | The shootings occurred close to the Al-Furqan Jame Masjid mosque in the Ozone Park neighborhood, where the men had been attending afternoon prayers. |
Police said after a preliminary investigation they believe a lone gunman shot the two men during a robbery, according to NBC 4 New York. An NYPD spokesman said they didn’t believe they were targeted for being Muslim. | Police said after a preliminary investigation they believe a lone gunman shot the two men during a robbery, according to NBC 4 New York. An NYPD spokesman said they didn’t believe they were targeted for being Muslim. |
Police responded to the shooting at 2 p.m. Saturday and the victims were removed to Jamaica hospital. | Police responded to the shooting at 2 p.m. Saturday and the victims were removed to Jamaica hospital. |
The 55-year-old imam, identified as Alala Uddin Akongi, was pronounced dead at the scene, while his 64-year-old assistant was said to be in critical condition. It’s reported he has since died in the hospital. | The 55-year-old imam, identified as Alala Uddin Akongi, was pronounced dead at the scene, while his 64-year-old assistant was said to be in critical condition. It’s reported he has since died in the hospital. |
Both men were wearing traditional Muslim dress at the time of the shooting, police told the New York Daily News. | Both men were wearing traditional Muslim dress at the time of the shooting, police told the New York Daily News. |
Tensions rose in the neighbourhood after the shooting, with eyewitnesses calling the incident a hate crime, according to the New York Post. | Tensions rose in the neighbourhood after the shooting, with eyewitnesses calling the incident a hate crime, according to the New York Post. |
Kobri Chowdhury, 40, the leader of nearby Masjid al Amam, said the shooting was “just point blank [a] hate crime, hating Muslims.” | Kobri Chowdhury, 40, the leader of nearby Masjid al Amam, said the shooting was “just point blank [a] hate crime, hating Muslims.” |
The victim “looked Muslim in every aspect. They shot him because of his looks. It could have been me,” Chowdhury said. | The victim “looked Muslim in every aspect. They shot him because of his looks. It could have been me,” Chowdhury said. |
Dozens of angry Muslim men gathered at the murder scene, according to the New York Daily News. | Dozens of angry Muslim men gathered at the murder scene, according to the New York Daily News. |
One local resident, Khairul Islam, 33, said: “That’s not what America is about, we blame Donald Trump for this ... Trump and his drama has created Islamophobia.” | One local resident, Khairul Islam, 33, said: “That’s not what America is about, we blame Donald Trump for this ... Trump and his drama has created Islamophobia.” |
It’s reported others gathered at the crime scene also chanted, “Donald Trump is responsible!” | It’s reported others gathered at the crime scene also chanted, “Donald Trump is responsible!” |
Police said they are still investigating possible motives, but are currently lacking evidence that the two individuals were targeted because of their faith, according to Tiffany Phillips, a spokeswoman for the New York City Police Department. | |
Members of the Muslim community have described Akongi as a peaceful man. “He wouldn’t hurt a fly,” the New York Daily News quoted Akongi's nephew Rahi Majid as saying. “You would watch him come down the street and watch the peace he brings.” |