A crime scene photographer documents the scene at Truman Street and Grand Avenue in Albuquerque after the killing of a Muslim man late Friday night. (Liam DeBonis/Albuquerque Journal)
Another Muslim was shot dead, the fourth killed in a nine-month period and the third in the past two weeks.
The latest shooting happened late Friday night, shortly before midnight. A spokesman for the Albuquerque Police Department said officers were called to the area near San Mateo and Copper NE for a shooting. When they arrived, they found a dead man.
Investigators said Thursday they believe there is a strong possibility the men were targeted because of their race and religion.
Mohammad Ahmadi, 62, was killed on November 7 behind the halal market he and his brother owned. Aftab Hussain, 41, was killed July 26 in the parking lot of his apartment complex in Rhode Island NE, near Wyoming and Copper. Muhammad Afzal Hussain, 27, was killed Aug. 1 less than a block from his apartment in a neighborhood south of the University of New Mexico.
APD officers held a news conference Saturday afternoon along with leaders from the US Attorney’s Office, the 2nd Judicial District Attorney’s Office, the FBI and the City of Albuquerque. They urged people to come forward and report any suspicious activity.
Deputy Chief Josh Brown said the department has consulted with the Muslim community and is increasing patrols in certain areas and establishing command posts. Multiple units within the department are working on the case.
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