1 killed in shooting near Ohio mosque; police say site was not targeted

By Ahmet Salih Alacaci

WASHINGTON (AA) - One person was killed in a shooting near a mosque in the Midwestern US city of Columbus, Ohio, on Monday, but police said there was no indication the religious site was targeted.

Officers responded to reports of gunfire in northeastern Columbus, near the Alrahma Mosque, according to local broadcaster 10TV.

One person was pronounced dead, while a second casualty was located, though their condition was not immediately given.

"This was not an attack on the mosque," Columbus police Sgt. James Fuqua told reporters, saying investigators believe the shooting stemmed from a dispute involving several people at a nearby apartment complex.

Fuqua said an event was underway at the mosque when the shooting occurred but that police had no reason to believe that it was the target of the violence.

He stressed that the investigation was in its early stages and authorities were still working to establish the circumstances surrounding the shooting.

Police had not released information about potential suspects or confirmed whether there were additional injuries.