A man suspected of killing at least two Muslims in New Mexico in recent months has been arrested and is believed to have targeted the victims over an “interpersonal conflict,” authorities said Tuesday.
The suspect, Muhammad Syed, 51, was arrested Monday after a tipster contacted authorities, Albuquerque Police Assistant Commander Kyle Hartsock told reporters.
Syed is charged in the July 26 and Aug. 1 murders of Aftab Hussein, 41, and Muhammad Afzaal Hussain, 27, respectively, Hartsock said.
Syed remains a suspect in the Aug. 5 slaying of Naeem Hussain, 25, and the Nov. 7 slaying of Mohammad Ahmadi, 62, but authorities are still investigating those cases, he said Hartsock.
Hartsock declined to elaborate on a potential motive. In a news release, the department said the victims knew Syed “to some extent and an interpersonal conflict” may have led to the shootings.
Bernalillo County District Attorney Raúl Torrez said murder charges are expected in the case.
Before, Albuquerque Police Chief Harold Medina said the suspect’s car had been located and its driver had been arrested.
Shortly after Medina’s statement, Mayor Tim Keller thanked local, state and federal law enforcement for their work on the case.
Deputy Chief of Police Investigations Cecily Barker holds a flyer with photos of a car of interest wanted in connection with the Muslim men killed in Albuquerque, NM, on August 7, 2022.Adolphe Pierre-Louis / Albuquerque Journal via ZUMA Press
“We hope their swift action will bring a greater sense of safety to so many who are experiencing fear from the recent shootings.” Keller said in a statement.
Police issued an alert on Sunday for a “vehicle of interest,” a gray or silver Volkswagen Jetta.
The latest fatal shooting occurred shortly before midnight Friday on the edge of a community known as the International District, southeast of downtown, police said.
Naeem Hussain was identified as the victim.
Minutes after police announced this latest development, Ehsan Shahalami, Hussain’s brother-in-law, said he hopes this suspect is solely responsible for the bloodshed.
“We are hopeful that this will be the end of this wave of killings and that everyone else will be safe,” said Shahalami, 37, who lives in Virginia. “I hope it’s just one person, not multiple people.”
The first attack that could be linked to the violence took place on 7 November. Mohammad Ahmadi’s body was found in a parking lot behind the halal meat business he ran with his brother.
The other two homicides were the slayings of Pakistani immigrant Aftab Hussein and Muhammad Afzaal Hussain near the University of New Mexico, authorities said.
Muhammad Imtiaz Hussain, brother of victim Muhammad Afzaal Hussain, said he hopes life can return to normal with this arrest.
“I’m glad the suspect has been arrested,” said the grieving brother. “We feel relieved. Now we can take our children to the parks. We can go shopping. Now we feel that fear.”
This is a developing story, please check back here for updates.
Contributed by Alicia Victoria Lozano and Dennis Romero.