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NEW YORK, Aug. 13 (Xinhua) -- A Muslim Imam and his assistant were shot and killed by a lone gunman Saturday in broad daylight while leaving a mosque in the Queens Borough of New York City.
The shooting occurred around 2 p.m. near the Al-Furqan Masjid Mosque, where the two victims were attending their Saturday afternoon prayers, according to local media.
The victims were wearing traditional Muslim garb and were both shot in the head from close range. The killer approached them from behind, according to police.
The shooter had fled the scene and his motive was not yet clear, according to police.
Members of the mosque had gathered at the mosque, denouncing the shooting as a hate crime against their faith.
The investigation into the motive behind the attack was underway, police said.
