Questions remain 1 year after Imam Hassan Sharif’s death outside Newark mosque

One year later, there remains a stack of fliers for people to share inside of the Masjid Muhammad Mosque Newark. It has a photo of Imam Hassan Sharif and a clear reminder that there is still a reward of $35,000 for anyone with information leading to the arrest of his killer.

To date, no arrests have been made.

Sharif was shot multiple times at 6:15 a.m. on Jan. 3, 2024 in the parking lot of the Masjid Muhammad Mosque in Newark.

Who pulled the trigger and why Sharif was targeted is still unknown.

Today, members of the mosque were heading inside for prayer and the naming of a room in honor of Sharif. One of those taking part was Gloria Westry-Valentine. After losing her husband in 2022, she spoke with Sharif several times

“He really helped me through that," says Westry-Valentine. "I always like to be perceived as a such a strong individual and he really helped me. And I saw him grow a a leader of this mosque.”

Sharif was also a friend of Newark police. He was known for rallying against gun violence in the city and offering a safe haven for people with warrants to turn themselves in to police.

Sharif also worked as a TSA agent at Newark Liberty International Airport for many years.

On the day of his death, Essex County Prosecutor Theodore Stephens said, “It does not appear that the Imam was a victim of a bias crime or that this is related to terrorism.”

The state attorney general promised to find his killer, but no suspects have ever been named.

Months before the shooting, the imam wrote on social media that while outside the mosque he was approached by a man.

“Who thought it was a good idea to come behind me an put a gun to my head. As I fought him off, I did what I do, I manage to remove the gun from his hand and pull the trigger to stop him dead in his tracks, the gun wouldn’t fire though as he fled.”

Did his death have anything to do with that interaction? Was it random? That’s what detectives are still trying to figure out.

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