New York City police on Monday arrested a man accused of gunning down an imam and his assistant in Queens, a crime that has shaken the local Muslim community and led to suspicions of a hate crime.
Authorities charged Oscar Morel, 35, with two counts of second-degree murder and two counts of criminal possession of a weapon.
Queens District Attorney Richard A. Brown said Tuesday that investigators might conclude that the shooting was a hate crime, but he added that the case will be “vigorously prosecuted” regardless.
Officials said Mr. Morel was arrested Sunday in connection with the hit-and-run of a cyclist 10 minutes after the Saturday afternoon shooting.
Robert Boyce, chief of detectives for the New York Police Department, told reporters Monday that Mr. Morel’s black GMC Trailblazer matched the description of the getaway car used in the shooting of Imam Maulana Alauddin Akonjee and Thara Uddin near the Al-Furqan Jame Masjid mosque.
When police closed in, Mr. Mosel rammed a police vehicle in an attempt to flee, Chief Boyce said.
The New York Times, citing anonymous sources, reported that investigators later found a gun hidden in the wall of Mr. Mosel’s Brooklyn apartment.
Police have not identified a motive for the shooting. The gunman followed the two men as they left an afternoon prayer service and shot each in the back of the head.
Many in the local Bangladeshi Muslim community fear it was a targeted attack.
Mayor Bill de Blasio attended funeral services for the two men Monday and acknowledged fears in the community.
“It’s a very rare thing to see a cleric killed, and members of the Muslim community have been on edge because of the atmosphere already that existed in this country, particularly over the last few months in our national debate,” he said.
“It doesn’t matter what faith you come from, it doesn’t matter where you live in this city. As one, we feel this pain,” Mr. de Blasio said. “For all those here who want justice, we want justice with you too, and we will get justice for this community.”
On Tuesday, Imam Akonjee’s son and Mr. Uddin’s brother met with authorities at the Queens district attorney’s office while Mr. Morel awaited a court appearance.
Saif Akonjee said he wanted to know why his father was killed, and Mashuk Uddin said he believes the slaying was a hate crime.
• This article is based in part on wire service reports.
• Andrea Noble can be reached at anoble@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.