Muslim man shot while setting up table to sell goods outside Rhode Island mosque: Imam says suspect was standing across street 20 minutes before shooting

A Muslim man was shot and killed outside a Rhode Island mosque as he set up a table selling Islamic clothing on Friday morning.

He was bending down to set up his table in front of the Islamic Center of Rhode Island around 11:40 a.m. when a suspect in a vehicle opened fire on him and quickly fled the scene.

Authorities said the man, who remains unidentified, suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to Rhode Island Hospital for treatment.

Imam Abdul-Latif Sackor said the gunman remained across the street for about 20 minutes before he fired.

He believed the shooting was a targeted attack, not necessarily targeting the victim, but rather the mosque and the Muslim community.

As of Friday afternoon, a suspect had not been identified and no arrests had been made in connection with the case.

As he was bending down to prepare a table outside the Islamic Center of Rhode Island around 11:40 a.m., someone in a vehicle opened fire on him and quickly fled the scene.

Authorities say the unknown man suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to Rhode Island Hospital for treatment.

“I think it was more aimed at Muslims,” Sakor said. “We’ve been here for years and haven’t had this type of problem until recently,” he added.

Sakor said Boston Globe that the suspect, who was wearing glasses and a mask, was sitting in a sedan with Massachusetts license plates in a parking lot across the street from the mosque.

He and others inside the mosque assumed the person had arrived early for the service scheduled for 11:30 a.m.

Providence Police Maj. David Lapatin said the victim is affiliated with the mosque and regularly sells clothing on Fridays at 39 Haskins St.

Sackor said the shooting was captured on camera, although no surveillance footage has been released regarding the incident.

“He was here before 11:30, thinking that all Muslims would come to pray at 11:30, and he just saw an opportunity,” Sackor said. – He saw his opportunity and took it.

“We are Muslims here, trying to live our own lives. We are part of a community in America and we are all trying to live our own lives.

“We’ve been here for years and haven’t had these types of problems until recently.”

Boss Oscar Perez said: “It’s sad. It’s a beautiful day here in the city. I made friends with the imam at the mosque, so we are here and we will provide security to keep everyone safe.

A police officer was driving through the area when he heard gunshots. Detectives arrived at the scene and spoke with witnesses, Perez said.

Chief Oscar Perez said the officer was driving through the area when he heard gunshots. Detectives arrived at the scene and spoke to witnesses

Imam Abdul-Latif Sackor said the shooter remained across the street for about 20 minutes before he fired.

The imam believed that the shooting was a targeted attack, not necessarily targeting the victim, but rather the mosque and the Muslim community.

Providence Mayor Brett Smiley released a statement Friday saying he was “deeply saddened by this news.”

“While many details are unknown at this time, hate has no place in Providence and everyone in our community is valued,” Smiley said.

“Providence Police will work tirelessly to bring justice to this individual so that all of our residents feel safe.”

The Council on American-Islamic Relations, the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights organization, called on law enforcement to investigate possible bias in the shooting.

CAIR’s national communications director, Ibrahim Hooper, said: “In recent weeks, we have witnessed an unprecedented increase in the number of anti-Muslim incidents across the country.

“We are calling on local, state and federal law enforcement authorities to investigate the possible motive for this attack.