Imam Maulama Akonjee, 55, and his associate Thara Uddin, 64 were both shot at the back of their head at the corner of Liberty Avenue and 79th Street in Queens after a prayer at the New York City mosque on Saturday.
People gather for demonstrations after an unknown person killed 2 people leaving the NY city mosque
According to the surveillance video obtained by the police, a man with a medium complexion, a short and polo shirt approached them from behind, shot and flee the scene with his gun.
In a statement released by Deputy Inspector Henry Sautner of the New York Police Department;
There's nothing in the preliminary investigation to indicate that they were targeted because of their faith
Sautner then added that police;
Are currently conducting an extensive canvass of the area for video and additional witnesses. There are no arrests at this time and the investigation is ongoing.
One of the worshipper at the mosque, Shahin Chowdhury, while speaking to AP said he heard people passing the mosque and cursing, and advised community members to be cautious of their surrounding.
Shahin said the Imam was a wonderful man.