Police are investigating what they are calling a bias crime after multiple shots were fired at the Pike County Islamic Center during Ramadan.
Authorities say at least four rounds struck the mosque Saturday night. No one was inside at the time and no injuries were reported.
Images obtained by News 12 show bullet holes through doors and windows, damage to a chandelier and rounds piercing a wooden shoe rack inside the prayer space.
“We had one bullet come from this door here,” said Jim Abdulrahaman, a board member of the Pike County Islamic Center. “They shoot all the way through here…the chandelier…and went through the door.”
Abdulrahaman said members of the mosque believe the shooting was a drive-by, with someone firing from a road that runs behind the building sometime between 10:30 p.m. and midnight.
“They used the back road to do it at night when nobody was here. “The ladies are praying here," he said gesturing to the area where the bullets struck. "If they were here, they would’ve gotten five or six ladies.”
The imam, Azzeddine Sarii, called the incident a hate crime.
“This is not a civilized act. This is an evil act and they should be put to justice,” Sarii said.
Mohammed Alhomsi said he had been at the mosque earlier that evening with his wife and 8-year-old daughter.
“If this was earlier by three or four hours, it could’ve been my eight-year-old daughter… it could’ve been my wife,” he said.
The Philadelphia chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, or CAIR, is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction.
Eastern Pike Regional Police, along with Pennsylvania State Police, continue to investigate. No arrests have been made.
The Pike County Islamic Center is affiliated with the Islamic Center in Middletown, New York. In response, both the Orange County Sheriff’s Office and New York State Police say they are conducting patrol checks at the Middletown location and will continue to monitor the area.
Police are asking anyone with information to contact Eastern Pike Regional Police.