An imam has died after being shot outside his mosque in Newark early Wednesday morning, law enforcement sources said. New Jersey's attorney general said there is no evidence the crime was motivated by bias as the investigation continues.
Newark police responded to a call of a shooting at 6:15 a.m. at South Orange Avenue and Camden Street near Masjid Muhammad-Newark, which had a 6 a.m. Fajr prayer service on its schedule.
Law enforcement officials later confirmed the shooting victim is Imam Hassan Sharif, an imam at Masjid Muhammad-Newark for nearly five years. The imam was shot multiple times, according to Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore Stevens.
The imam was transported to University Hospital in critical condition, the city's public safety director said. Prosecutors later confirmed Sharif succumbed to his injures around 2:20 p.m.
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New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Plotkin and Newark Public Safety Director Fritz Fragé both said at a news conference that bias did not appear to be a motive for the shooting.
"This investigation is ongoing, but at this time we do not have any information suggesting the crime was motivated by bias," Plotkin said in a statement. "Every possible angle will, of course, be explored and every lead will be fully investigated to bring the perpetrator or perpetrators to justice."
Sharif worked as a security officer for the Transportation Security Administration at Newark Airport since 2006, the TSA confirmed to NBC New York.
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"We are deeply saddened to learn of his passing and send our condolences to his family, friends and co-workers," a TSA spokesperson said in a statement.
Newark's mayor, Ras Baraka, said the city stands with the imam and his family.
"Today we mourn a fellow Newarker and a member of our city’s multi-faith clergy community. I am disgusted that a gun has made its way through our community to kill one of us. I mourn the death of Imam Hassan Sharif and know any expression of condolence and comfort for his family and loved ones is inadequate. Our hearts are broken," Baraka said in a statement.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations' New Jersey chapter said it is also working to get more information on the shooting.
“We are deeply concerned about this incident and pray for the speedy recovery of the imam. Anyone with information about the shooting should immediately contact local police," Dina Sayedahmed, communications manager at CAIR-NJ, said in a written statement.
Gov. Phil Murphy said his office and New Jersey State Police are supporting the investigation.
"At this point, we do not have any information about the perpetrators or motivations behind this incident, but I know law enforcement will provide updates as appropriate," Murphy said. "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."
Nassau County, New York is increasing patrols of local mosques in the county as a result of the shooting.
"While there is no information at this time concerning the cause of the shooting, out of an abundance of caution I am increasing patrols to protect the Muslim community," Blakeman said.
Platkin said patrols were increased across New Jersey at Muslim and Jewish religious sites since the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks in Israel and the start of the Israel-Hamas war.
The imam has assisted Newark in anti-violence efforts in the past and would protest against gun violence, Fragé said.
Anyone with information on the shooting is being asked to call Newark police at 1-877-NWK-TIPS (1-877-695-8477). A $25,000 reward is being offered for any information on the shooting.
