The man is suspected of murder of the Imam and his friend after the victim left a mosque in new York. The suspect was arrested and charged with second-degree murder and criminal possession of a weapon.
The charges against 35-year-old Oscar Morel, was launched on Monday after police found in his house the gun and clothes, similar to what was worn by the gunman, according to CCTV.
Morel was arrested Sunday after police say he struck a bicyclist on Saturday in Queens. Chief detective Robert Boyce said during a press conference on Monday evening that they believe that the person who is in custody is the same man who killed the Imam and his assistant. "We firmly believe that that individual," said Boyce. Mayor bill de Blasio said that "the killer will be brought to justice."
Earlier on Monday, according to CBS New York, about 1,000 mourners gathered to honor the memory of Akoni and Uddin. They were both shot dead in the middle of the street in broad daylight in Ozone Park, Queens, on Saturday.
De Blasio has been criticized by the local Muslim community to meet with friends and family of the victims and their neighbors. But he attended the funeral to pay their respects to the families, and he spoke briefly, addressing the crowd.
"When we see two innocent men, two good men killed in such a violent manner, hurt our hearts and our souls," said the mayor, "and we're focused on justice."
sections: World News, Accidents, Accidents |