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Suspected serial killer on the loose as FOURTH Muslim man gunned down in Albuquerque

The latest killings are that of an unnamed Muslim man, and another named Muhammad Afzaal Hussain, both of whom were shot dead

ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO: Authorities suspect that a serial killer has been murdering Muslims in Albuquerque, New Mexico after four people were killed recently. New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham said on Saturday, August 6, that she has deployed additional state police to assist in the probe into the “targeted killings". "The targeted killings of Muslim residents of Albuquerque is deeply angering and wholly intolerable," she wrote. "I am sending additional State Police officers to Albuquerque to work in close coordination with APD and the FBI to bring the killer or killers to justice – and they WILL be found," the governor said.

"We will continue to do everything we can to support to the Muslim community of Albuquerque and greater New Mexico during this difficult time. You are New Mexicans, you are welcomed here, and we stand with you," she added. 

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In a press release, the governor said, “I am angered and saddened that this is happening in New Mexico, a place that prides itself on diversity of culture and thought. 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. In addition, we will continue to do everything we can to support to the Muslim community during this difficult time. As Mr Assed of the Islamic Center of New Mexico said earlier today: hate will not win.”

The press release added, "Additional state police will be on patrol in Albuquerque, and they are working in close coordination with the Albuquerque Police Department and FBI to provide whatever support is necessary." "Anyone with information on these crimes should call Crime Stoppers at 505-843-STOP or the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI," it added.

The latest killings are that of an unnamed Muslim man, and another named Muhammad Afzaal Hussain, both of whom were shot dead. Aftab Hussein was murdered on July 26, 2022, and Mohammad Ahmadi in November 2021. Both Hussain and Hussein were Pakistani and went to the same mosque, the New York Times reported.

According to the Pew Research Center, less than one per cent of the two million people in New Mexico are Muslim. In a tweet, Albuquerque Police Department said that investigators believe the murders could be connected. 

“We are incredibly sickened with the idea that someone has this much hate against innocent people,” Ahmad Assed, leader of the Islamic Center of New Mexico, said, according to the Times. “We’re scared for our families, we’re scared for our children. And we are incredibly confused about why this is happening,” he added.

Meanwhile, Albuquerque Police Department has released photos of a vehicle of interest connected with the shootings. "WANTED: APD releases photos of a vehicle of interest in the shootings of 4 Muslim men. If you have any information about this vehicle please contact Crime Stoppers at (505)-843-STOP," the department tweeted.

President Joe Biden took to Twitter to express his anger over the killings. "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," he wrote, adding, "These hateful attacks have no place in America."