NJ Imam Shot Dead Outside Mosque In Newark; No Signs Of 'Bias': Police

NEWARK, NJ — A local religious leader was fatally shot outside a mosque in Newark, New Jersey on Wednesday, authorities say.

According to the Newark Department of Public Safety, police officers responded to the area of South Orange Avenue and Camden Street at 6:16 a.m. after getting a report about a shooting.

The victim, Hassan Sharif – who is an imam at the nearby Masjid Muhammad mosque – was transported to University Hospital, authorities said. He later died from his injuries.

According to the Essex County Prosecutor's Office, there is no information at this time suggesting that the shooting is a bias crime.

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said his prayers are with Sharif.

"At this point, we do not have any information about the perpetrators or motivations behind this incident, but I know law enforcement will provide updates as appropriate," Murphy said.

"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," he added.

The governor said that anyone with information about shooting can contact the Newark Police Department through their 24-hour tip hot line at 1-877-NWK TIPS (1-877-695-8477).

The Essex County Sheriff's Crime Stoppers Program is offering up to a $25,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in the case.

Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore Stephens said his office has been in touch with the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office and federal partners. All law enforcement resources will be available for this investigation, he added.

"Every lead will be investigated to bring the perpetrator to justice," Stephens said (article continues below).

Mayor Ras Baraka encouraged the shooter to turn themselves in through the city's Safe Surrender program. Authorities will "bring the perpetrator to justice," no matter how long it takes, he said.

"We don’t yet know all the details, but here is what we do know: Imam Hassan Sharif stood with the people of this city, and we will stand with him and his family," Baraka said.

"None of us has to know the details about this shooting to condemn it," Baraka continued. "Any act of violence, any killing or harming of any person, is never okay – no matter what precipitates or motivates such a depraved act."

The mayor added:

"Today we mourn a fellow Newarker and a member of our city’s multi-faith clergy community. I am disgusted that a gun has made its way through our community to kill one of us. I mourn the death of Imam Hassan Sharif and know any expression of condolence and comfort for his family and loved ones is inadequate. Our hearts are broken. As a city, we mourn so much today, but we must refuse to mourn our capacity to love each other and to embody our ideals for tolerance and understanding, acceptance, and equality. We must continue to build a Newark that serves as a safe refuge for all – and where justice is served to those who act out in violence. We must refuse to mourn our capacity to reach out to each other before difficulties become crises. And we must tighten our embrace of each other with full and tender compassion."

Sharif had worked as a transportation security officer since 2006, according to the TSA, which was among many to mourn his passing on social media.

Sharif isn't the only religious leader to be shot in Newark over the past year. In August, several bullets were fired into the Fourth Street home of a pastor from East Orange, striking him in his chest, shattering his sternum, puncturing his lung and damaging his kidney and heart.

• See Related: East Orange Pastor In Hospital After Bullets Rip Through Newark Home

Despite dozens of tragic shootings in 2023, violent crime has been dropping in New Jersey's largest city, statistics show. Read More: Newark Is Becoming A Safer Place To Live, 2023 Crime Stats Show

According to city officials, Newark saw reductions in almost every violent crime category last year. The city reported 47 homicides, its lowest number since 1960 – although several that weren’t counted in the yearly total took place over the holiday weekend.

• See Related: Three Men Shot To Death Over 4 Days In Newark, Including On Christmas

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