The Muslim community is “shaken” after a man was shot multiple times Monday night outside a mosque in north Minneapolis.
The shooting occurred about 5:30 p.m. as people were leaving Masjid An-Nur after the third prayer of the day. The victim remains hospitalized but is expected to survive; the suspected shooter is in custody.
Makram El-Amin, the mosque’s imam, said at a news conference Tuesday that a respected elder in the community noticed people loitering near the mosque who appeared to be engaging in criminal activity.
The elder and another member of the mosque asked them to leave. A suspect drove away in a white SUV, made a U-turn and then opened fire. The elder was shot at least three times in the arm and shoulder, El-Amin said.
“For this to happen here in this space is still unsettling, to say the least,” he said.
El-Amin said that mosques are sacred spaces, and worshippers should feel safe on their premises.
Muslim leaders and Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara applauded the elder’s bravery for trying to protect the community.
“What he did yesterday, we believe, is a heroic act,” said Jaylani Hussein, executive director of the Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations. “We are today echoing this hero, recognizing his incredible sacrifice that sometimes is required, unfortunately, in this environment.”
El-Amin said the mosque is evaluating its security protocols in light of the incident, and may take extra measures.
O’Hara said police have a person in custody who they believe to be the shooter. He declined to provide more information about the suspect, but said the department will release additional information soon.
Minneapolis police will increase patrols in the area as needed, O’Hara said.
“We want all people in this community to know that we are here to support, to respond,” O’Hara said. “We’ll do everything we can to try and prevent something like this from happening again.”
