75-Year-Old Worshiper Shot Outside Minneapolis Mosque
Police reported that the man, identified as Abdul Kareem, is expected to survive his injuries.
The incident occurred around 5:45 p.m. at the intersection of 18th and Lyndale avenues. Kareem was transported to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, according to police.
Mosque leaders praised Kareem's actions as heroic. "He's a beloved member of the community. A lot of people are very upset, very angry," said Imam Makram El-Amin, CBS News reported on Tuesday.
"There's a code in the Muslim community across the country and across the world, that if you shoot one of us, you shoot all of us and we come in solidarity to stand with each other," he added.
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The Council on American-Islamic Relations Minnesota stated that Kareem was leaving the mosque after prayer when he asked individuals he suspected of selling drugs to move along. The suspects initially left but returned, and one of them shot Kareem three times.
Police are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident. "All houses of worship in this city are sacred spaces and we should be defending all of them," said Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara. "This one in particular is a source of hope for so many in this neighborhood. It's a source of meeting so many basic needs for many people in this community."
Just this past weekend, hundreds attended a resource fair at the mosque, which provided services such as health care and food assistance. Leaders emphasized that this act of violence will not deter them from continuing to serve the community.
One person is in custody in connection with the shooting.
Source: Agencies
