By: Richard L. Smith
The Essex County Prosecutor's Office has officially taken charge of the investigation into a tragic shooting incident that resulted in the death of an Imam in Newark on Wednesday morning.
RLS Media learned from the family that the victim, Imam Hassan Sharif, succumbed to a gunshot wound after being attacked by at least one armed individual.
The incident unfolded while he was preparing to open the mosque for the Fajr Prayer, an early morning prayer in the Islamic faith.
The shooting took place near the mosque located at the intersection of South Orange Avenue and Camden Street.
Newark Public Safety Director Fritz Fragé had earlier reported that the police responded to an emergency call at approximately 6:16 a.m., Wednesday, regarding a male shot at this location.
The victim, later identified as Imam Sharif, was urgently transported to University Hospital, which was only a short distance away.
Despite the efforts to save him, Sharif tragically passed away just around 1 p.m.
As of now, the suspects responsible for this heinous crime remain at large, having fled the scene immediately after the shooting.
The incident has sent shockwaves through the community, especially among the congregants of the mosque and the broader Muslim community in Newark.
The involvement of the Essex County Prosecutor's Office marks a significant escalation in the search for justice in this case.
Sources close to the investigation state that the incident appears unrelated to Imam Sharif's religion and is believed to be an isolated situation.
The community is in mourning over the loss of this religious leader, and there is a heightened sense of urgency to apprehend the perpetrators.
Authorities are urging anyone with information about the incident or the suspects to come forward and assist in the investigation.