The Albuquerque Police Department held a press conference Saturday to address four murders of Muslim men in the last nine months.
APD Chief Harold Medina addressed the fourth “disturbing” killing of a young Muslim man, which came Friday night. Two other Muslim men have been shot and killed in the last week, and another similar shooting happened in November 2021.
“We’re asking the Muslim community especially to be vigilant, to watch out for one another,” Medina said. “If you see something, say something.”
POSSIBLE SERIAL KILLER TARGETING MUSLIM MEN IN NEW MEXICO
Medina said he has been in “constant contact” with Islamic Center of New Mexico President Ahmad Assed since the third shooting was discussed at length in a Thursday press conference. As a result, Medina says the department will increase its patrolling and lift overtime caps in order to protect the community.
“Our community is devastated, as you can imagine,” Assed said at the Saturday conference. “Evil will not win. Hate will not win.”
Now, the police are soliciting tips surrounding these murders. Anyone with information can call 505-843-STOP. In addition, police will have command posts in key areas throughout Albuquerque for others to visit with tips. There is a $15,000 reward for anyone with information that leads to an arrest.
“We can’t solve these crimes without active participation and engagement from the community,” District Attorney Raul Torrez said.
Police said it was still “too early” to classify the suspect as a single serial killer.
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The first murder, of Mohammad Ahmadi, 62, occurred in November behind a cafe owned by his brother. The cafe was not robbed. Aftab Hussein, 41, was the second victim. He was shot on July 26 in the parking lot of his apartment complex. Then, on Monday, Muhammad Afzaal Hussain, 27, was shot on the street as he left his apartment to make a phone call.
