An imam and another man were shot to death near a Queens mosque on Saturday, according to the city police department.
Police found Imam Maulama Akonjee, 55, and a 64-year-old man shot in the head at 79th Street and Liberty Avenue around 1:50 p.m.
Police said Akonjee, seen above, and the 64-year-old man, Thara Uddin, died from their injuries.
Akonjee and Uddin were walking home from prayers at their local mosque and were wearing religious attire.
The suspect, a man who wore a polo shirt, approached the men from behind on Liberty Ave., according to the NYPD's preliminary investigation.
Immediately after the victims were shot, the man fled the scene on 79th Street. Witnesses said he had a gun in his hand.
No arrests have been made, the investigation is ongoing, and police said they are looking for surveillance video and additional witnesses.
People in the community said they believe the victims were targeted because of their Muslim faith. Police have not confirmed that.
Akonjee was well known in the community, as many people said they had gone to him for advice.
They said he had no enemies and was a man of peace, so a lot of people in the area said they found it hard to believe bias or discrimination did not play a part in the shooting.
Anyone with information on the case should contact the Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS, or text CRIMES and then enter TIP577, or visit www.nypdcrimestoppers.com