After the fourth murder of a South Asian Albuquerque community member, detectives have determined there is a connection between the Aug. 1 murder of Muhammed Afzaal Hussain, 27, and the July 26 murder of Aftab Hussein, 41. Both men are Muslim and from Pakistan, both attended the same mosque, and they were killed within a week of each other in the southeast area of Albuquerque near Central Avenue.
Muhammad Afzaal Hussain was the planning and land use director for the city of Española whose friends and family praised him for his efforts in the community.
The other victims are Mohammad Ahmadi, 62, who was killed in November 2021, and 25-year-old Naeem Hussain, who was the latest victim killed on Aug. 5. He was killed after attending the two funeral services of his friends and was shot outside his apartment building.
In response to the killings, Dr. Yahuza Sida with the Islamic Center of New Mexico explained the center, along with the Albuquerque Islamic Center on Yale, have come together with law enforcement to ensure their community can be safe.
“We are beefing up security, and so far police have been around, most particularly during prayer times, and have been very helpful,” Sida said.
People have had fears about taking their children to Sunday school and some have decided to keep their kids at home because of what has been happening, Sida said. There is fear and apprehension about going out, especially for their Muslim sisters and mothers who wear Islamic head coverings, called hijabs, in public and appear to be Muslim, as well as the Muslim community’s students who are going back to school and have to use public transportation or walk around campuses and surrounding areas.
“These areas are where the attacks have happened, so that is a group we are especially afraid for, but [we] are working with the investigative authorizes and security to see how they can best prevent and protect themselves,” Sida said.
Police have released photos of a vehicle they believe may have a connection to the killings. The car is a dark gray or silver Volkswagen sedan with four doors and tinted windows. The bulletin says the car appears to be a Jetta. Anyone with information about this vehicle is asked to call 505-843-STOP. There is currently a $10,000 reward for any information leading to an arrest.
A statement from Mayor Tim Keller’s office said there would be increased police presence near mosques and Muslim-affiliated schools and that the city is working with University of New Mexico and APS Police on a safety plan for students returning to campus. The city is also offering access through 311 for support and trauma counseling and hot meal delivery service for those who don’t feel safe.
Keller said, “Albuquerque’s commitment to supporting our Muslim community cannot be broken. We remember each of the victims and the family, friends and community who knew and loved them. We are outraged by these attacks and will not relent in our pursuit of justice for those we have lost.”
City Councilor Louie Sanchez, District 1, said that Albuquerque is a minority-majority city that celebrates its unique diversity and that city officials cannot downplay the existence of a potential serial killer targeting residents of Middle Eastern heritage in what he says are obvious hate crimes.
“As these heinous crimes make horrible national headlines for our city, it is a grim reminder that Albuquerque has an out-of-control murder and crime crisis that is taking lives, destroying families, and shuttering small businesses every single day. This is not who we are as a city, let’s not let the world think differently,” Sanchez said.
The case also has national voices weighing in. “I am angered and saddened by the horrific killings of four Muslim men in Albuquerque,” President Joe Biden tweeted Sunday. “While we await a full investigation, my prayers are with the victims’ families, and my Administration stands strongly with the Muslim community. These hateful attacks have no place in America.”
Vice President Kamala Harris shared similar thoughts on her feed. “I am deeply disturbed by the killings of four Muslim men in Albuquerque. As law enforcement continues to investigate these heinous attacks, we remain clear that we stand with the Muslim community in New Mexico and around our country. Hate has no place in America.”
At the Islamic Center, Sida disclosed it has been a tough time for everyone, but these tragedies have brought people in the Muslim community together. People have asked how they can help, with folks wanting to donate and add to the $10,000 reward from the Council on American-Islamic Relations for any information leading to an arrest of the suspect.
