The imam of a new York metropolis mosque and his affiliate had been gunned down Saturday as they walked domestic from afternoon prayers.
Authorities noted the guys had been shot within the lower back of the head shortly earlier than 2 p.m. close the Al-Furqan Jame Masjid mosque in the Ozone Park neighborhood of Queens.
Police identified the imam as fifty five-12 months-old Maulama Akonjee and the affiliate as Thara Uddin, 64.
NYPD Deputy Inspector Henry Sautner observed video surveillance shows the victims were approached from behind via a man in a gloomy polo shirt and shorts who shot them after which fled with the gun nonetheless in his hand.
"First it become two [shots], and then he goes, 'increase! increase! growth!'" a local resident informed the publish. "There changed into a carload of individuals across the road, and a girl across the street, and he simply targeted these two guys."
At a press conference, police pointed out there was no indication the victims had been targeted on account of their faith. however, individuals of the Bangladeshi community served by means of the mosque referred to they need the shootings to be handled as a hate crime.
more than 100 americans attending a rally on the capturing website Saturday evening chanted "We desire justice!"
Sarah Sayeed, a member of Mayor bill de Blasio's workforce, serves as a liaison to Muslim communities. She attended the rally and spoke of, "I have in mind the fear because I consider it myself. I keep in mind the anger. nevertheless it's very critical to mount an intensive investigation."
Khaled Rahman, who additionally was there, said he believes the shootings had been an assault "towards our faith" and he hopes police increase protection round mosques.
Shahin Chowdhury, a worshipper on the mosque, said participants of the neighborhood had felt animosity lately, with americans cursing whereas passing the mosque. He said he had counseled fellow community members to be careful jogging round, exceptionally when in average clothing.
He called the imam a "mind-blowing grownup" with a voice that made his Koran readings specially compelling.
Worshipper Millat Uddin referred to Akonjee had led the mosque for roughly two years and was a very pious man.
"The neighborhood's heart is completely broken," talked about Uddin, who is not involving Thara Uddin. "it's a superb misery. or not it's an excellent loss to the community and it be a very good loss to the society."
Neighbors also described Thara Uddin as a pious and considerate man who prayed 5 instances a day and went to the mosque. whereas at domestic, they said he would water his backyard and one next door.
"a extremely sincere, shrewd man ... (And) a really useful guy," pointed out neighbor Mohammed Uddin, who isn't a relation of Thara Uddin's.
The associated Press contributed to this report.
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