An imam from one of Utah’s largest mosques narrowly escaped injury after being targeted in a shooting on Monday evening during Ramadan. Imam Shuayb Din of the Utah Islamic Center was leaving his home for prayers when multiple bullets struck his car. Although he was unharmed, police recovered eight shell casings from the scene and released an image of a white passenger vehicle suspected to be involved. No arrests have been made, and the motive remains unconfirmed.
Din told local media that the attacker appeared to have prior knowledge of his residence, vehicle, and schedule. He said he had no personal enemies but feared the incident might be an Islamophobic hate crime. The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) announced a $5,000 reward for information leading to the suspect’s arrest and urged stronger security for Muslim communities.
Utah State Senator Nate Blouin condemned the attack as an attempted murder, calling it horrific and unacceptable. He also suggested a possible link between the shooting and ongoing Islamophobic rhetoric in U.S. politics.