"Heightened Sense of Fear": Tension As Imam Hassan Sharif Shot Dead Outside Mosque

• An imam (a person who leads prayers in a mosque), Hassan Sharif, who was shot outside a mosque in New Jersey on Wednesday, January 3, has died
• Legit.ng reports that US authorities said the killing did not initially appear to be driven by terrorism or "bias"
• Sharif was shot multiple times near a mosque in Newark, west of New York, before being taken to hospital where he later gave up the ghost

Legit.ng journalist Ridwan Adeola Yusuf has over 9-year-experience covering public journalism and global news

New Jersey, USA - Hassan Sharif, an Imam in the United States of America (USA), has died after being shot multiple times outside the mosque he leads in Newark city.

Authorities said at a news conference that they believe the killing of Imam Sharif was not motivated by domestic terrorism or "bias".

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Imam shot outside New Jersey mosque dies

The shooting happened outside the Masjid Muhammad-Newark mosque around 6:15am on Wednesday, January 3, Newark Public Safety said.

Police said the Imam was hit more than once and rushed to a medical centre where he died later in the afternoon.

Reacting to the attack, New Jersey attorney-general, Matthew Platkin, said at a briefing:

"We do not yet know the motivation for this crime (but) the evidence collected thus far does not indicate that this was an act motivated by bias or an act of domestic terrorism."

He added:

"In light of global events, and with a rise in bias that many communities are experiencing across our state — particularly the Muslim community — there are many in New Jersey right now who are feeling a heightened sense of fear."

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Hamas leader Saleh al-Arouri killed

Earlier, Legit.ng reported that an explosion hit southern Beirut, Lebanon, destroying several cars and killing Hamas deputy leader, Saleh al-Arouri.

Al-Arouri, 57, was among those who died in the attack in south Beirut.

Gunmen assassinate presidential candidate

In another related news, Legit.ng reported that gunmen assassinated Fernando Villavicencio, an anti-corruption crusader and presidential candidate, in the presidential poll in Ecuador.

The 59-year-old was shot dead shortly after concluding a rally in Quito.

Terrorists planning to attack US, UK says

Meanwhile, the United Kingdom issued a warning to its citizens that terrorists are planning to attack the United States (US).

According to the UK's travel advisory, there is a high chance that the terrorists will launch indiscriminate attacks in places visited by foreigners, crowded areas, and transportation networks.

Source: Legit.ng