investigation continues into capturing loss of life of Newark imam, reward elevated – NBC New York

Essex County officers have introduced a rise within the reward they’re providing for data that might result in the identification of these accountable for the capturing loss of life of a beloved Muslim chief who was gunned down exterior of his Newark mosque earlier than morning prayers in January.

The killing of Imam Hassan Sharif as he ready to open the Masjid Muhammad-Newark mosque on Jan. 3 has generated an intense legislation enforcement dragnet.

The state’s legal professional common pledged to help county and native officers, with the Essex County sheriff initially saying a $25,000 reward. In a joint press launch on Monday, Prosecutor Theodore Stephens II and Essex County Sheriff Armando Fontoura introduced that the Essex County Crime Stoppers reward was elevated to $35,000.

Sharif’s capturing comes amid intensifying bias incidents towards Muslims and Jews since Hamas dedicated terror assaults on Israel on Oct. 7, frightening a punishing battle within the Gaza Strip.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy group, recorded greater than 2,000 bias incidents towards U.S. Muslims within the first two months for the reason that Mideast assaults started, up from practically 800 in the identical interval final 12 months.

The council beforehand introduced it was providing a $10,000 reward for data resulting in the arrest and conviction within the imam’s loss of life.

“As a result of unprecedented spike in anti-Muslim bigotry and violence we’ve witnessed in latest weeks, native, state and nationwide legislation enforcement authorities should completely examine the capturing of Imam Hassan Sharif and hold the Muslim neighborhood secure,” CAIR nationwide government director Nihad Awad stated on the time.

Following the stunning homicide, Legal professional Normal Matt Platkin stated there is no proof that Sharif’s killing was a hate crime, however he and different officers did not element how they decided that, or supply extra particulars past saying Sharif was shot greater than as soon as in his automotive at about 6 a.m., and was rapidly taken to the adjoining College Hospital, the place he died within the afternoon.

Even with out proof of a connection to anti-Muslim bias, authorities explicitly acknowledged the broader international context.

“I would like each resident of our state to know that we’re bringing all of our sources to bear to maintain our Muslim associates and neighbors secure in addition to all New Jerseyans secure,” Platkin stated.

Sharif had been the resident imam at his mosque for 5 years and was lively within the interfaith neighborhood, metropolis officers stated. Amongst different issues, he helped oversee the mosque’s involvement as a secure home the place folks may go to keep away from violent interactions with police, which “vastly assisted” the apprehension of felons and serving of warrants, Newark Public Security Director Fritz Fragé beforehand stated.

For practically twenty years Sharif additionally labored as a transportation safety officer for the Transportation Safety Administration at Newark Liberty Worldwide Airport, stated TSA spokesperson Lisa Farbstein.

“We’re deeply saddened to be taught of his passing and ship our condolences to his household, associates and colleagues,” she stated in an emailed assertion.

In a video assertion posted on its web site within the aftermath of the deadly capturing, the mosque provided prayers and stated the neighborhood would deal with delivering Sharif his final rights and burial. The assertion described Sharif as a brother, pal, father and husband and known as on the neighborhood to be aware of the household’s grief.

The investigation is lively and ongoing.

Authorities proceed to induce anybody with data is requested to contact the Essex County Prosecutor’s Workplace suggestions line at 1-877-TIPS-4EC or 1-877-847-7432.