By Zenebou Sylla and Celina Tebor | CNN
Hassan Sharif, the imam who was shot Wednesday outside a mosque in Newark, New Jersey, has died, a law enforcement source tells CNN.
The imam died at about 2:20 p.m. Wednesday, the source said.
Sharif worked as a transportation security officer (TSO) at Newark Liberty International Airport since 2006, according to a statement from the Transportation Security Administration.
“We are deeply saddened to learn of his passing and send our condolences to his family, friends and co-workers,” TSA said.
Officials will hold a news conference at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, according to the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office.
The shooting happened outside the Masjid Muhammad-Newark mosque about 6 a.m., Newark Public Safety said.
The imam – a mosque’s cleric or prayer leader – was taken to a local hospital in critical condition, police said.
“My prayers are with Imam Hassan Sharif,” Gov. Phil Murphy said in an earlier statement. “At this point, we do not have any information about the perpetrators or motivations behind this incident, but I know law enforcement will provide updates as appropriate.
“At a time when the Muslim community is concerned by an increase of bias incidents and crimes, I want to assure the Muslim community and people of all faiths that we will do everything in our power to keep all residents safe, especially in or near our houses of worship.”
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While the motive for the shooting remains unclear, it comes amid increasing reports of threats, violence and hate speech against Muslim and Jewish Americans since the start of the Israel-Hamas war in October.
“At a time when bias incidents against members of the Muslim community are on the rise, we know that this act of gun violence will heighten fears and concerns in our State,” state Attorney General Matthew Platkin said in a statement. “This investigation is ongoing, but at this time we do not have any information suggesting the crime was motivated by bias.”
The New Jersey branch of the Council on American-Islamic Relations urged anyone with information about the shooting to contact police.
“As always, and irrespective of this specific incident, we advise all mosques to keep their doors open but remain cautious especially given the recent spike in anti-Muslim bigotry,” the group said.
CNN’s Michelle Watson, Mark Morales and Holly Yan contributed to this report.
