In a tragic incident on Wednesday morning, Imam Hassan Sharif was shot and killed outside Masjid Muhammad, a mosque in Newark, New Jersey. The imam, who was initially in critical condition, later succumbed to his injuries at University Hospital, according to Newark Public Safety Director Fritz Fragé.

The shooting took place just after 6 a.m. outside the historic mosque. Law enforcement sources informed that when the police arrived at the scene, they found Sharif lying in the parking lot, approximately 10 feet from the mosque entrance, with multiple gunshot wounds. He had sustained bullet wounds in his abdomen and left arm.

As investigators now work tirelessly to unravel the details surrounding the incident, they are scouring through security and city-owned street cameras for any potential leads. While some cameras were found to be non-operational, detectives believe they may have uncovered at least one angle capturing an individual entering the parking lot and fleeing afterwards. Bullet casings have been retrieved from the scene and are currently undergoing analysis.

Masjid Muhammad, originally known as Mosque No. 25, has a rich history dating back to the early days of the Nation of Islam's presence in New Jersey. The imam, Hassan Sharif, was a well-known figure in Newark and often appeared alongside city leaders. He was also recognized for delivering prayers at council meetings.

At this stage, investigators are yet to determine a motive for the shooting, according to officials with knowledge of the investigation. Although the investigation is ongoing, the Essex County prosecutor has stated that there is no evidence to suggest that the crime was motivated by bias.

In addition to his role as an imam, Sharif had been serving as a transportation security officer at Newark Liberty International Airport since 2006.

The cooperative efforts between Newark police and the Essex County Prosecutor's Office continue as they strive to bring clarity and justice to this heartbreaking incident.