New Jersey imam dies after being wounded in shooting outside Newark mosque

A Muslim prayer leader in New Jersey died Wednesday afternoon after he was shot by an unknown shooter outside of a Newark mosque earlier in the day, according to a law enforcement official.

The man was identified as Imam Hassan Sharif from the Masjid Muhammad-Newark mosque, and he was initially transported to the nearby University Hospital in critical condition but later died around 2:20 p.m., according to CNN.

DISNEY’S EARLY VERSION OF MICKEY MOUSE ENTERS PUBLIC DOMAIN

Officers said they received a call about a shooting at 6:15 a.m. at South Orange Avenue and Camden Street. Upon arrival, officers found Sharif lying approximately 10 feet from the mosque with multiple gunshot wounds in his abdomen and left arm, sources told ABC News.

The motive for the shooting is not clear, and the Newark Department of Public Safety said the incident remains under investigation. No suspect has been identified or captured, but investigators are going through security and city-owned street cameras to determine a suspect. Bullet casings from the scene are also being analyzed.

“We are deeply concerned about this incident and pray for the speedy recovery of the imam,” the New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations said in a statement. “Anyone with information about the shooting should immediately contact local police.”

The New Jersey chapter said it is still gathering information on the shooting.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

Although it is not clear whether any bias played a role in the shooting, the incident comes amid an increase in antisemitic and Islamophobic attacks that stem from the Oct. 7 terror attack in Israel by the terrorist organization Hamas.

“My prayers are with Imam Hassan Sharif, who reports indicate was the victim of a shooting earlier this morning outside the Masjid Muhammad Mosque in Newark and is currently receiving medical treatment,” Gov. Phil Murphy (D-NJ) said in a statement. “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.”