Muslim man is shot while setting up table to sell goods outside mosque in Rhode Island: Imam says suspect stood across the street 20 minutes before firing shots

A Muslim man was shot Friday morning outside a mosque in Rhode Island as he set up a table to sell Islamic clothing.

He was stooping to arrange his table outside the Islamic Center of Rhode Island around 11:40 a.m. when a suspect in a vehicle opened fire on him and quickly fled the scene.

The man, who remains unidentified, suffered a non-life-threatening injury and was rushed to Rhode Island Hospital for treatment, according to authorities.

Imam Abdul-Latif Sackor said the gunman lingered across the street for about 20 minutes before firing a shot.

He believed the shooting was a targeted attack, not necessarily targeting the victim, but rather targeting the mosque and the Muslim community.

As of Friday afternoon, the suspect has not yet been identified and no arrests have been made in connection.

As he stooped to arrange his table outside the Islamic Center of Rhode Island around 11:40 a.m., someone in a vehicle opened fire on him and quickly fled the scene.

The man, who remains unidentified, suffered a non-life-threatening injury and was rushed to Rhode Island Hospital for treatment, according to authorities.

“I think it was more aimed at the Muslims,” Sackor said. “We’ve been here for years and until recently we haven’t had this kind of problem,” he added.

Sackor told the Boston Globe that the suspect, who was wearing glasses and a mask, had been sitting in a sedan with Massachusetts license plates in the parking lot across the street from the mosque.

He and others at the mosque assumed the person was early for the prayer services, which were scheduled for 11:30 am.

Providence Police Maj. David Lapatin said the victim is affiliated with the mosque and regularly sells clothing on Haskins St. on Fridays.

Sackor said the shooting was caught on camera, although no surveillance footage has been released in connection with the incident.

“He was here before 11:30 a.m. and thought all the Muslims would come for prayers at 11:30 a.m. and he just saw an opportunity,” Sackor said. ‘He saw his opportunity and took it.

‘We are Muslims here trying to live our lives. We are part of the community in America and we are all trying to live our lives.

“We’ve been here for years and until recently we haven’t had these kinds of problems.”

Chief Oscar Perez said, “It’s sad. It’s a beautiful day here in the city. “I’m pretty good friends with the imam here at the mosque, and so we’re here and we’ll provide security everywhere to make sure everyone is safe.”

Coincidentally, a police officer was driving by the neighborhood when he heard the shots. Detectives responded to the scene and are talking to witnesses, Perez said.

Chief Oscar Perez said a police officer happened to be driving by the area when he heard the gunshots. Detectives arrived on scene and are talking to witnesses

Imam Abdul-Latif Sackor said the gunman remained across the street for about 20 minutes before firing a shot.

The imam believed the shooting was a targeted attack, not necessarily targeting the victim, but rather targeting the mosque and the Muslim community.

Providence Mayor Brett Smiley released a statement later Friday saying he is “deeply saddened by this news.”

“While we don’t know many details at this time, there is no room for hate in Providence and everyone in our community is valued,” Smiley said.

“Providence Police will work tirelessly to bring this individual to justice so that all of our residents feel safe.”

The Council on American-Islamic Relations, the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights organization, has called on law enforcement authorities to investigate a possible bias motive for a shooting.

CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper said: “We have witnessed an unprecedented spike in anti-Muslim incidents across the country in recent weeks.

“We urge local, state and federal law enforcement authorities to investigate a possible partisan motive for this attack.