Phoenix police have increased patrols around a local mosque while detectives investigate an incident involving a pellet or paint gun from over the weekend.
Phoenix police say they responded at about 2:30 a.m. Saturday to the Islamic Community Center of Phoenix.
Arriving officers were told a suspicious vehicle had approached the gate, a man got out firing what appeared to be a pellet or paintball gun, and witnesses retreated for safety.
Azza Abuseif is executive director of the Arizona chapter of the Council on American Islamic Relations.
“People are scared. I have friends that have kids that go to that mosque. Younger kids that are afraid of going to the mosque. This is our holiest month of the year,” Abuseif said.
Abuseif is referring to Ramadan, when Muslims can worship all night. She wants the incident investigated as a possible hate crime.
The FBI says it is aware of what happened and is in regular contact with local authorities. A spokesman says if police uncover evidence of a potential federal violation, the FBI is prepared to investigate.
“Children and families just gathering in a mosque to pray, or anywhere, should not be fearing violence of any source,” Abseif said.
Phoenix police say they searched the neighborhood around the mosque but did not find a suspect. No one was injured. And the investigation is ongoing.
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