Investigation Underway After Shooting Near Mosque in Columbus

Police and federal officials are investigating a fatal shooting near a mosque in Columbus, Ohio on Monday. One person has been confirmed dead.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) in Columbus announced via X that agents were responding to an incident on the 2200 block of Albert Avenue. Initially, reports suggested the shooting occurred at a mosque.

The Alrahma Mosque, located on Albert Avenue, was near the incident site. However, police clarified that the event occurred at a nearby apartment complex around 2:10 p.m. local time, not at the mosque itself.

The investigation is in its early stages, said an ATF spokesperson. They added, Preliminary information suggests funeral attendees had exited the Alrahma Mosque, located at 2226 Albert Avenue, Columbus, Ohio, when shots were reportedly fired by an unknown number of individuals.

According to the Columbus Dispatch, the shooting occurred during a funeral at the mosque. A photographer at the scene reported the incident. Local TV broadcast police efforts to control a crowd as funeral attendees and community members gathered in the street, leading to reports of arguments and shoving.

One person has been confirmed deceased, an ATF spokesperson confirmed. Earlier reports of a possible second victim remain unconfirmed. ATF Special Agents are assisting the Columbus Division of Police with the ongoing investigation. Additional information will be provided as it becomes available.

The Columbus Division of Police provided details confirming the location in a parking lot adjacent to the mosque. A spokesperson stated, We received information indicating this may have occurred at a mosque. While we are still in the preliminary stages of the investigation, this was not a targeted attack on the mosque, nor did the incident occur there.

The FBI has offered additional resources but deferred further details to the local police department.

Newsweek reached out to the Alrahma Mosque and the Ohio Department of Public Safety for comment Monday afternoon.

This situation is developing and more updates will follow as information becomes available.