NY Imam fatally shot after afternoon prayers

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON (AA) - An imam was killed and another man was critically injured Saturday as they walked in Queens, New York, according to media reports.

The two were shot at approximately 2 p.m. local time (1800GMT) near the Al-Furqan Jame Masjid Mosque in Ozone Park while walking home from prayers, the New York Post newspaper said. The imam was reportedly shot in the head and his companion sustained at least one bullet wound to his chest.

A local resident told the Post that it appeared the gunman picked his targets before fleeing the scene on foot.

“There was a carload of people across the street, and a girl across the street, and he just targeted these two guys,” the resident said.

NBC4 New York reported that a preliminary investigation indicated that the men were shot during the course of a robbery, but added that authorities said they may have been targeted.