An unidentified gunman shot and killed an imam outside a mosque in Newark, New Jersey Wednesday.
CBS New York reports the shooter came up at around 6:15 a.m. and fired several shots at the imam. Hassan Sharif would die later at the hospital.
The killing left worshippers devastated.
“Just a good person overall. I can’t think of anything wrong he’s done to anyone, and that comes from my heart,” Aneesah Abdullah said.
“I don’t even know what the world is coming to. Just pray for a better world, for peace to reign,” said Margaret Adebayo.
Authorities do not believe the killing is connected to a a domestic terrorist or hate group.
“The evidence collected thus far does not indicate that this was an act motivated by bias or an act of domestic terrorism,” New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin told the BBC.
Nonetheless, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy issued a statement to ease any concerns.
“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,” he said.
Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II vowed to bring the shooter to justice.
“While I’ve indicated that this investigation is at the very early stages, the impact on the community of this sort of particularly dastardly crime cannot be understated,” Stephens said to My NBC15. “It’s not lost on anyone here in the law enforcement community here in Essex County. And we’re dedicated to bringing justice for the imam’s family.”
A $25,000 reward is being offered by police in this case.
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