Muslim leader dies after getting shot outside of New Jersey mosque

NEWARK, N.J. (TCD) -- A Muslim leader died this week after he was mortally wounded in a shooting outside his mosque in the early hours of the morning.

According to the Newark Department of Public Safety, Hassan Sharif, an imam at the Masjid Muhammad-Newark Mosque, was shot outside the building on Wednesday, Jan. 3, at 6:15 a.m. Police said they "do not believe the shooting was motivated by bias or domestic terrorism."

Essex County Prosecuting Attorney Theodore Stephens II said in a news conference Sharif was shot "more than once" and immediately transported to University Hospital, where he later died from his injuries. Stephens said the motive for the "heinous" and "dastardly" shooting remains unclear.

Law enforcement officials are putting up a $25,000 reward for information related to the shooting.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations and the New Jersey chapter of the council are also offering a $10,000 reward. The council said Sharif was shot as he prepared to lead morning prayers at the mosque.

NorthJersey.com reports Sharif was held up at gunpoint over the summer, but he reportedly managed to wrestle the gun away from the perpetrator, and the suspect ran away.

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said in a statement following the shooting, "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."

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