Muslim men killings in New Mexico are linked, police say
maylen
(NewsNation) — New Mexico police are asking for the public’s help for information in the killings of four Muslim men that they say are linked.
At a news conference Sunday, Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller said it’s a “frightening time” for the city. The first victim was killed in November, and the other three men were killed between July 26 and Friday, NewsNation affiliate KRQE reported.
“We have a very, very strong link,” Keller said. “We have a vehicle of interest … We have got to find this vehicle.”
Police released a photo of a vehicle they say is involved in the killings: a dark gray or silver Volkswagen sedan, a Jetta or Passat, with tinted windows. The photo highlights possible damage to the front driver’s side wheel and rear driver’s side wheel and fender. Police did not say how they identified the car or who owns it.
“We all condemn the senseless killings that we’ve seen in the last month,” Keller said. “These are tough times where we have to come together as one Albuquerque.”
The most recent killing happened Friday night, when a man was ambushed and shot, KRQE reported.
The man who KRQE identified as Naeem Hussain, was found dead after police received a call of a shooting.
Two of the men — Muhammed Afzaal Hussain, 27, and Aftab Hussein, 41 — were killed in the past week, and both were from Pakistan and members of the same mosque. The third case involves the November killing of Mohammad Ahmadi, 62, a Muslim man of South Asian descent.
President Joe Biden denounced the killings on Twitter.
“I am angered and saddened by the horrific killings of four Muslim men in Albuquerque,” he said. “While we await a full investigation, my prayers are with the victims’ families, and my Administration stands strongly with the Muslim community. These hateful attacks have no place in America.”
The FBI has been called in to help with the investigation. Local police at the news conference on Sunday declined to provide many details about the investigation, only saying that there were “several things in common” with the four homicides.
Editor’s Note: The previous version of this story incorrectly stated the current Albuquerque mayor as Richard Berry. It is currently Tim Keller.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
