Police, Muslims Seek Answers After Cleric and Associate Killed in Queens

By David Gibson, Religion News Service
Community members and religious leaders gather at the mosque of Imam Maulama Akonjee, who was shot to death along with an associate on Aug. 13, while walking nearby after prayers. Photo courtesy of Reuters/Stephanie Keith.
Aug 15, 2016
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Police were questioning a possible suspect in the double homicide of a popular imam and his associate in Queens but there was still no clear motive even as the shocking daylight murders were becoming a flashpoint in the national debate over anti-Islamic rhetoric.

Authorities and news reports on Monday said police had taken a “person of interest” into custody on unrelated charges and were interrogating him about the Saturday shootings of Imam Maulama Akonjee, 55, and his associate, Tharam Uddin, 64.

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Community members and religious leaders gather at the mosque of Imam Maulama Akonjee, who was shot to death along with an associate on Aug. 13, while walking nearby after prayers. Photo courtesy of Reuters/Stephanie Keith.