US President Joe Biden said he was “outraged and saddened” by the “horrible” killings. of four Muslims men in New Mexico city of Albuquerque, adding that “these hateful attacks have no place in America”.
“While we wait full investigation, my prayers with families of the victims, and my administration firmly with Muslim community,” he said in tweet late on Sunday.
Police in New Mexico on Sunday asked for in public help in Search “vehicle of interest” in their probe of in fatal executions of Muslim men whose murders in Albuquerque over in past nine months, according to investigators, are related.
Mayor Tim Keller said the state is working to provide “additional police presence at mosques during times of prayer” during the investigation in largest in New Mexico city, home up to 5000 Muslims out of about 565,000 total residents.
latest The victim was shot dead, police said. down on Friday evening, in a killing this, according to local Islamic leaders, happened shortly after he attended the funeral services. for two others were killed during past pair of weeks.
All three of those men are also very first victim who was shot dead in November, were Muslims men of Pakistani or Afghan descent who lived in Albuquerque.
The police gave some details of in latest murder but described first three ambush kills.
Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham described them as “targeted killings”. of Muslim residents.
This was reported by representatives of the Albuquerque police. news conferences that they followed the number of leads and published a newsletter with photos of four-door dark gray Volkswagen sedan. with toned windows which they described as “vehicle of interest” in investigation.
It was left dont clear how in car was connected to the case and the police said they have yet to determine if they were looking for one or more suspects in investigation.
Three latest the victims belonged to the same mosque, according to Tahir Gauba, spokesman for Islamic Center of New Mexico (ICNM). Officials concealed identity of man killed on Friday pending notice of next of genus.
But Gauba said he was killed shortly after attending the funeral. for two previous victims.
Mohammed Afzaal Hussain, 27, planner director for in city of Hispaniola who immigrated from Pakistan, was shot dead on August 1 outside his apartment complex, less than a week after 41-year-old Aftab Hussein, from Albuquerque’s large Afghan neighborhood. community found killed on July 26 near the village. cityx international area, police said.
Hussein also worked on in campaign team for US Representative Melanie Stansbury of New Mexico.
The police said they were treating the two murders, as well as with Friday killingas related to November 7th murder of 62-year-old Mohammad Ahmadi, also Muslim from Afghanistan who was shot death in parking outside halal supermarket and cafe.
“There are a few things in common with all four of murders, city This was stated to journalists by police spokesman Gilbert Gallegos. on Sunday.
Asked if investigators consider murders to be hate crimes, Gallegos said: “Hate is driven by motive and we don’t know this motive at the moment.”
Gauba estimates that between 3,000 and 5,000 Muslims live in the country. in in and around Albuquerque, accounting for about 85 percent of Islamic population.
The New Mexico State Police, the FBI, and the US Marshals Service are among the agencies providing assistance. in investigation.
Muslims were called to walk alone at night
Meanwhile, ICNM urged Muslims in Albuquerque in avoid walk alone at night and do sure they are not respected homes.
“We urge everyone to take precautions and be aware of your environment, including the creation sure that you are not being followed home as well as avoid walking alone at night”, ICNM community message said.
“This is especially true for our members live in southeastern part of in city where did these murders come from place”.
Tahir Gauba, ICNM director of public affairssaid a local muslim community – especially students who live Near area where the last two shootings took place – “very afraid.”
