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A man mourns at a funeral for one of the men shot dead in Albuquerque (photo August 5)
Photo: Chancey Bush/AP
After four murders of Muslims within a short period of time in the US city of Albuquerque, investigators are hoping for information from the population.
On Sunday afternoon (local time), the police in the state of New Mexico asked for information on the whereabouts of a "vehicle of interest".
The authorities also published a photo of a gray VW sedan.
According to the Reuters news agency, the police initially did not say how the vehicle was related to the cases.
It is also not yet known whether a search is being made for one or possibly several perpetrators.
According to the investigators, various clues are already being followed.
On Friday, another person was found dead in the city with around 560,000 inhabitants, who, according to consistent media reports, is another member of the Muslim community.
The victim was found at night after someone reported a shooting.
Police also said the murder "could be related to three similar homicides in Albuquerque."
Police speak of shots from an ambush
Two previous victims had been killed just in late July and early August within a week in the south-east of the city.
According to the police, both are from Pakistan.
The dead man found on Friday had previously taken part in a mourning ceremony for the other two victims, it said.
The first case police are now linking to the more recent killings dates from November 2021. The victim was Mohammad Ahmadi, a Muslim man from Afghanistan.
According to police reports, all three murders were carried out in a similar way: without warning, the victims were shot in ambush.
The Federal Police FBI supports the local police in the investigation.
City increases protective measures at mosques
According to media reports, the crimes are increasingly frightening the Muslim community in Albuquerque.
According to the New York Times, some of the members of the Islamic Center of New Mexico no longer want to visit the meeting place for fear of becoming the victim of another attack.
There had been arson attacks at the center before.
Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller said it would increase police presence outside the city's mosques during prayer times and provide home delivery of meals to members of the community, among other things.
US President Joe Biden assured members of the faith community on Twitter on Sunday evening (local time) of his support.
"These hateful attacks have no place in America," the President said.
"I am angry and saddened by the horrific killings of four Muslim men in Albuquerque," Biden wrote.
His prayers are "with the families of the victims and my government stands firmly with the Muslim community."
fek/Reuters/dpa