N.M. Muslim community in fear after four killings

Authorities on Monday identified the fourth victim in a series of killings of Muslim men in Albuquerque, New Mexico, as the deaths sent ripples of fear through the Islamic community nationwide.

Three of the slayings happened in the past week. Now law enforcement officials are seeking help finding a vehicle believed to be connected to the killings in New Mexico’s largest city. The common elements were the victims’ race and religion, officials said.

Naeem Hussain was killed Friday, and ambush shootings killed three other Muslim men over the past nine months. Police are trying to determine if they are linked.

The killings have spread fear beyond New Mexico, where Muslims comprise less than 1% of adults in the statewide population of 2.1 million, according to Pew Research Center.

“The fact the suspect remains at large is terrifying,” Debbie Almontaser, a Muslim community leader in New York, wrote on Twitter. “Who is next?!”

Almontaser said that a female friend, who lives in Michigan and wears the hijab head covering, shared with her over the weekend just how rattled she was. “She’s like, ‘This is so terrifying. I’m so scared. I travel alone,’” Almontaser said.

Hussain, 25, was from Pakistan. His death came just days after those of Muhammad Afzaal Hussain, 27, and Aftab Hussein, 41, who were also from Pakistan and members of the same mosque.

The earliest case involves the November killing of Mohammad Ahmadi, 62, from Afghanistan.

“We will bring this person or these persons to justice,” Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said Sunday.

Police said the same vehicle is suspected of being used in all four homicides — a dark gray or silver four-door Volkswagen that appears to be a Jetta or Passat with dark tinted windows. Authorities released photos hoping people could help identify the car and offered a $20,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.

Albuquerque authorities say they cannot determine if the slayings were hate crimes until they have identified a suspect and a motive.

PIERRE-LOUIS/ALBUQUERQUE JOURNAL VIA AP ADOLPHE An Imam leads the Dhuhr afternoon prayer at the Islamic Center of New Mexico in Albuquerque, after the fourth Muslim man was murdered in the city.