Police in Albuquerque, New Mexico, say the murder of a Muslim man Friday may be linked to the killings of three other Muslim men over the past nine months in the city.
The Albuquerque Police Department said the man slain on Friday was in his 20s and was of South Asian origin but has not been publicly identified. The three others believed to be linked to the Friday killing include the Aug. 1 killing of Muhammed Afzaal Hussain from Pakistan, the July 26 killing of Aftab Hussein from Pakistan, and the killing of Mohammad Ahmadi from Afghanistan in November.
GROWING CONCERN FOR NEW MEXICO MUSLIMS AFTER UPTICK IN MURDERS
“There is reason to believe this death is related to those shootings,” Albuquerque Police Chief Harold Medina said during a press conference on Saturday, according to the Associated Press.
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D-NM) said she is “angered and saddened” by the killings.
“This is not who we are. We will not stop in our pursuit of justice for the victims and their families and are bringing every resource to bear to apprehend the killer or killers — and we WILL find them,” the governor said in a statement.
President Joe Biden also released a statement via a tweet on Sunday.
I am angered and saddened by the horrific killings of four Muslim men in Albuquerque. While we await a full investigation, my prayers are with the victims’ families, and my Administration stands strongly with the Muslim community.
These hateful attacks have no place in America.
— President Biden (@POTUS) August 7, 2022
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“I am angered and saddened by the horrific killings of four Muslim men in Albuquerque. While we await a full investigation, my prayers are with the victims’ families, and my Administration stands strongly with the Muslim community,” Biden said. “These hateful attacks have no place in America.”
Albuquerque police said the FBI is working with them in their investigation and urged people to call authorities if they have any information regarding the killings. A $15,000 reward is being offered for information leading up to an arrest.
