Murders of Mohammad Ahmadi, 62, Muhammad Afzaal Hussain, 27, Aftab Hussain, 41, and Naeem Hussain, 25, all one commonality: all victims were Muslims and of According to Albuquerque police, South Asian descent.
The last three murders took place between of two weeks, putting city on edge How did the police investigate for potential links between attacks and draw attention on unsolved murder from November 2021.
‘Til we’re still sifting through all the evidence to see for more communication, it is very disturbing that these three men were Muslim and of similar descent”, deputy commander of This was reported by Kyle Hartsock of the Albuquerque Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Unit.
That’s what we are know on the murders and the investigation so far:
How did the killings take place?
Upon discovery, Albuquerque police said the murder “may be linked” to three previous murders. of Muslim men from South Asia.
those three men — Muhammad Afzaal Hussein, Aftab Hussein and Mohammad Ahmadi were all ambushed. with no warning fired on and killed,” Hartsock said earlier.
Two of they, Muhammad Afzaal Hussein and Aftab Hussein, were both Pakistanis. men and were killed in Southeast Albuquerque near Central Avenue. Police said they had “established a connection” between the two deaths.
Muhammad Afzaal Hussain was shot dead on August 1. He was found on sidewalk in in area of Cornell Street and Lead Avenue.
Just a few days before, on On July 26, Aftab Hussein was found with obvious gunshot wounds in block 400 of Rhode Island. He later died as result of his wounds, police said.
When investigators investigated the recent murders, they turned their attention to the November 7, 2021 murder. of Mohammad Ahmadi, Afghan Muslim who was killed outside a business he ran with his brother on Boulevard San Mateo.
Who are the victims?
Naeem Hussain emigrated as a refugee from Pakistan. in 2016 — fleeing persecution as a Shiite Muslim — and just become a US citizen last month, according to him brother-in-law, Ehsan Shahalami.
He opened his own trucking business this is year and was described as a kind, generous and hard-working person.
On the day he was killed, he attended the funeral. for two recent victims and expressed misgivings about the shooting, according to a spokesman with Mosque in Albuquerque.
Muhammad Afzaal Hussain worked on planning team for in city of Spain. He studied law and personnel management at the university. of Punjab in Pakistan to Master’s and Bachelor’s Degrees in community and regional planning from the University of New Mexico, according to news release from the mayor.
“Mohammed was quiet and kind and also had a quick laugh,” Mayor John Ramon Vigil said. in a news release last Wednesday. “He was respected and loved by colleagues and participants. of in community.”
There were no details about the other two victims. Police said Mohammad Ahmadi was a Muslim from Afghanistan and Aftab Hussein was a Muslim from Pakistan.
Where is the investigation?
The police reported vehicle “suspected to be used as a vehicle in recent killings of 4 Muslims men.”
“We have a very, very strong lead. We have vehicle of interest … we have to find it vehicle”, – said the mayor of Albuquerque Tim Keller. – We do not know at the moment, what is it connected withor who owns it.”
While the police have not definitively stated that all four attacks are connected, they have said they are looking into whether this is in fact the case.
“There is one strong generality in all victims; in race and religion,” Hartsock said. in briefing on Thursday.
Both local and national leaders respond?
After Friday Killing New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham announced On Saturday, she will deploy additional state police to Albuquerque.
“I am outraged and saddened that this is happening. in New Mexico, and place who is proud of himself on diversity of culture and thought. Is not who we,” said Grisham. in statement. “We will not stop in our pursuit of justice for victims and their families and use all resources to apprehend the killer or killers – and we will find them.”
Attacks have also drawn condemnation by President Joe Biden, who said he was “outraged and saddened” by the attacks.
“While we wait full investigation, my prayers with families of the victims, and my administration firmly with Muslim community”Biden wrote. on Twitter.
city currently increasing police presence in mosques, Muslim schools and university of New Mexico.
“Albuquerque on edge right now and I want to be clear that we and our law enforcement partners guide every possible resource for these occasions. We will protect our community and bring the culprit of these crimes to justice. We unreservedly condemn these senseless killings and stand with our muslim community against intolerance and violence in in any form,” Keller said.
“We heard from community that fear is so strong, there is anxiety even about things like food and nutrition for some people in certain areas of city,” Keller said. in weekend briefing. “Our senior affairs department and our community safety the department will provide food as long as we need to anyone who needs food who affected by this tragedy.”
At the same time, local and national Muslim groups were warning residents to be careful.
“We urge everyone to take precautions and be aware of your environment, including the creation sure that you are not being followed home as well as avoid walk alone at night”, Islamic Center of New Mexico posted on Facebook. “This is especially true for our members live in southeastern part of in city where did these murders come from place.”
The center said that while there is no evidence that its mosque is being attacked, it is still taking action. steps provide additional security measures.
Council offers $10,000 reward for information leading to arrest and condemnation of those responsible, organization announced by calling series of murders by “terrible, hateful shooting.”
Claudia Dominguez of CNN and Ashley Killough contributed to this report.
