Woman wearing Islamic attire (hijab) shot multiple times while driving home from work
(COLUMBUS, OHIO, 9/6/2017) — The Columbus, Ohio, chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Columbus) today called on the FBI to assist the Columbus Division of Police in conducting a thorough investigation of an unprovoked shooting attack on a Muslim woman in which the victim was hit multiple times.
According to the police report (170770251-001), the attack occurred just after midnight on Monday as the 58-year-old Muslim woman, who wears Islamic attire (hijab), was driving home from work. Officers on the scene “observed multiple bullet holes in the victim’s vehicle, blood within, along with shattered glass.”
The victim and family members reported to CAIR-Columbus and police that a white male driving a blue truck or SUV pulled in front of the victim in an attempt to cut her off. According to those reports, the alleged shooter then positioned his vehicle beside the victim’s and fired some 13 shots in her direction, striking her four times in the back, twice in the left hand and once in the elbow. The victim remains hospitalized in stable condition.
“We urge the FBI to add its resources to those of local police in order to bring the perpetrator to justice and to uncover the motive for this attack,” said Romin Iqbal, legal director of CAIR-Columbus. “Given the number of recent attacks on American Muslims and their religious institutions nationwide, we urge law enforcement authorities to thoroughly investigate this shooting.”
He said CAIR-Columbus is providing legal representation to the victim.
Iqbal added that the community will not feel safe as long as the perpetrator remains at large. He urged anyone with information about the shooting to contact local police.
CAIR chapters around the country have noted an unprecedented spike in hate incidents targeting American Muslims and other minority groups since the November 8 election.
CAIR-Columbus is asking community members to report any bias incidents to police and to CAIR-Columbus by filing a report.
CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.
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CONTACT: CAIR-Columbus Legal Director Romin Iqbal, 614-783-7953, riqbal@cair.com; CAIR-Columbus Legislative and Outreach Coordinator Usjid Hameed, 410-805-4215. CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com