Police in Albuquerque, New Mexico, have asked the public for assistance in identifying a dark-colored vehicle suspected of being involved in the deaths of three Muslim males who were ambushed and murdered in separate instances.
At a news conference on Sunday, Albuquerque police encouraged anybody with information on a dark-colored, four-door Volkswagen, likely a Jetta or a Passat, with tinted windows and potential damage to contact them “as soon as possible.”
Police suspect the car was used in the Friday night murder of an unnamed Muslim man in Albuquerque, according to Mayor Tim Keller.
“We’ve learnt a little bit about what occurred, and we’ve received some leads,” Keller told reporters on Sunday. “We have a solid lead and a vehicle of interest.” We have no idea what it is related with or who owns it. Friday’s assassination is thought to be related to three prior ambush-style shooting killings of Muslim males, according to Albuquerque police chief Harold Medina during a press conference Saturday afternoon.
“There is cause to suspect this killing is linked to the prior three homicides we announced on Thursday,” Medina added.
According to the Albuquerque Journal, Muhammed Afzaal Hussain, 27, was shot and died on August 1, while Aftab Hussein, 41, was assassinated on July 26. Both were Pakistanis who attended the same mosque.
Their killings came after the murder of Mohammad Ahmadi, 62, a Muslim man of South Asian heritage, in November 2021. Ahmadi was murdered in front of a market and café he co-owned with his brother.
According to the Journal, Albuquerque police previously said that there was a “high chance” that the three past killings were connected. On Saturday, the Albuquerque Police Department launched a public site where anybody may contribute any recordings or photographs that may lead to answers about the recent run of deaths of Muslim males in the region. Police have not confirmed if the lead on the car came from the webpage.
I am both outraged and horrified by the brutal murders of four Muslim men in Albuquerque. While we await the results of the inquiry, my thoughts and prayers are with the relatives of the victims, and my administration fully supports the Muslim community.
These heinous assaults have no place in America.
— Joe Biden (@POTUS), August 7, 2022
The wave of killings has shook Albuquerque’s Muslim community. On Sunday, police said it was too early to tell if the killings will be labeled as hate crimes.
President Joe Biden expressed his outrage about the murders in a tweet on Sunday morning, offering his condolences to the families impacted.
“I am outraged and horrified by the heinous murders of four Muslim men in Albuquerque,” Mr. Biden said in a tweet. “While we await the results of the complete investigation, my thoughts are with the victims’ families, and my administration fully supports the Muslim community.” These heinous assaults have no place in America.”
Vice President Kamala Harris also tweeted that the deaths “very upset” her and that the White House stands with the Muslim community while authorities investigate.
“I am very troubled by the murders of four Muslim guys in Albuquerque,” Harris said on Twitter. “As law enforcement investigates these atrocious acts, we reiterate our support for the Muslim community in New Mexico and around the nation.” In America, hatred has no place.”
The Council on American-Islamic Relations established a $10,000 prize for information leading to an arrest on Saturday.
“This tragedy affects not just the Muslim community, but all Americans,” Nihad Awad, national executive director of CAIR, said in a statement Saturday. “We must stand together against hatred and violence, regardless of the victims’ or perpetrators’ color, religion, or origin.” We encourage anybody with knowledge about these acts to contact law enforcement.”