Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Man with 'distinctive walk' sought in 2024 killing of Newark imam
By
Charles Lane
Published Mar 18, 2025
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
Courtesy Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens I
By
Charles Lane
Published Mar 18, 2025
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Officials say they're looking for a man with a "distinctive walk" as a person of interest in the 2024 fatal shooting of a Newark, New Jersey imam.
Imam Hassan Sharif, one of the leaders of the Masjid Muhammad mosque, was shot multiple times on Jan. 3, 2024, just ahead of the Fajr prayer, the first of five daily prayers in Islam, according to Essex County Prosecutor Theodore Stephens. Police have not identified any suspects, but said they don't believe the attack was motivated by bias.
Police responded to a call of a male shot outside the Masjid Muhammad mosque on the morning of the incident, authorities said. Sharif was taken to Newark's University Hospital in critical condition and later died.
Stephens and Newark Public Safety Director Emanuel Miranda shared new surveillance video on Monday showing a man in the area at the time of the shooting with what they called a "distinctive walk," which they said investigators hoped would help identify the man.
In the video, the man is wearing black pants and a hoodie obscuring his face.
"We have been working tirelessly to find those responsible, but we need the community's help,” Stephens said.
A reward of up to $35,000 is being offered for information leading to an arrest in the case.
Tagged
public safety
new jersey
Charles Lane
Charles is a Day-of reporter focused on breaking news and enterprise. He’s very friendly and can be reached at [email protected], or more securely on whatsapp/signal 631-295-6715
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Founder of NYC LGBTQ therapy practice charged with rape after alleged sexual assaults
Joseph LoGiudice is the second therapist at Liberation Psychotherapy to be accused of sexually abusing a patient.
By
Giulia Heyward
Published Oct 1, 2026 at 7:48 p.m. ET
US judge in NY indefinitely blocks ICE from making arrests at immigration courthouses
The judge said a Trump rule change lifting restrictions on such arrests violated administrative procedure law.
By
Arya Sundaram
News
US judge in NY indefinitely blocks ICE from making arrests at immigration courthouses
The judge said a Trump rule change lifting restrictions on such arrests violated administrative procedure law.
By
Arya Sundaram
Lawyer challenging NYC rent freeze releases Mamdani officials’ emails and text messages
By
David Brand
Push to strengthen NY sexual assault laws gathers steam after Cornell rape allegations
By
Walter Wuthmann
and
Jon Campbell
NYC mulls building temporary highway in sky over Brooklyn Bridge to fix BQE
By
Liam Quigley
and
Carol Chen
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .