Rabat – US police in New Mexico are racing to identify a car they suspect of being linked to the murders of four Muslim men in Albuquerque, New Mexico’s largest city.
Muslims in the city have been left reeling after a spate of murders targeting muslims.
The first of the four murders took place in November 2021, while three other murders occurred in the course of two weeks between July and August.
All of the slain Muslims are of South Asian descent, the Albuquerque police said, noting that two of the victims were from Pakistan.
With the probe ongoing to identify the perpetrators of the heinous murders, the Albuquerque Police Deaprtment released a photo of a car they belive is connected to the murder of the Muslim men.
In the “wanted” notice, the police asked for public assistance with the identification of the vehicle.
“The vehicle is a dark gray/silver Volkswagen Sedan with four doors and tinted windows. The vehicle appears to be a Jetta,” the notice reads.
Police acknowledged on Sunday that the four murders could be connected, with the Albuquerque police chief Harold Medina stating: “As with the previous three murders we mentioned on Thursdaym there is reason to believe this death is related to those shootings.”
Several high ranking US officials condmend the murders.
“I am angered and saddened by the horrific killings of four Muslim men in Albuquerque. While we await a full investigation, my prayers are with the victims’ families,” President Joe Biden said, expressing support for the Mslim community in New Mexico and vowing that his administration will duely tackle all cases of hate crime and discrimination.
“These hateful attacks have no place in America,” he concluded.
The Washington Post reported on Monday that the main mosque in Albuquerque is urging its members to avoid walking alone at night and to “make sure no one is following them home.”
Some business owners have also started closing their shops early, while others are fearing going out after dark, the report added.
The muslim community in New Mexico’s largest city is estimated at 5,000 from the overall population of 560,0000.
Police have not identified the motives of the killings yet.
