Imam Maulama Akonjee shooting suspect charged with murder

New York authorities have charged a man with murder in connection with an aide on Saturday and the killing of an imam.

35, Oscar Morel, was additionally charged with criminal possession of a weapon.

Some mosque-goers indicated it was a hate crime, but authorities said there was no signs up to now the guys were targeted due to their religion.

On Monday, the New York Police Department said Mr Morel was charged with two counts of second-degree murder.

He was detained on Sunday following a hit and run traffic accident only after the shootings.

A cyclist was hit by about 10 minutes after a vehicle matching that description several miles away.

No details were given by authorities about a potential motivation for the shooting.

Also for both casualties, countless mourners gathered for an Islamic funeral service on Monday.

Maulama Akonjee moved from Bangladesh to town two years ago, US media reported.

Buddies of Imam Akonjee told media he’d left the mosque.

A year ago the New York Times reported that hate crimes against US Muslims and mosques tripled in Paris and San Bernardino in the aftermath of strikes.