COLUMBUS, Ohio — A shooting near a mosque in Columbus, Ohio, on Monday left one person dead and another wounded, Columbus police said. Authorities confirmed the incident was not an attack on the mosque itself but resulted from an altercation in a nearby apartment complex’s parking lot.
Police clarify: No connection to mosque
Columbus Police Sgt. James Fuqua stated the shooting occurred outside the mosque but was unrelated to any activity inside the building. Fuqua emphasized, “This shooting had nothing to do with an attack on the mosque itself.” The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) confirmed its agents were on scene, responding to reports of a shooting near the mosque northeast of downtown Columbus.
Incident details and response
The altercation began at a nearby apartment complex before escalating into gunfire around 2:10 p.m., according to reports cited by local media. Columbus police and federal authorities, including the ATF, were present at the scene. Authorities did not immediately identify a suspect or provide further details about the altercation’s cause.
Mosque activities unaffected
Fuqua noted that an event was taking place inside the mosque during the shooting but stated it was unrelated to the incident outside. The mosque’s operations and attendees were not targeted, police confirmed.
Ongoing investigation
The investigation remains active, with authorities urging anyone with information to come forward. Additional updates are expected as more details emerge.