Minneapolis police are giving an update about a shooting at a mosque.
Authorities say 75-year old Abdul Kareem was leaving the Masjid Al Noor Mosque in North Minneapolis when he was shot multiple times after confronting a group of men engaging in what's been described as criminal behavior. Police say a gunman in a vehicle drove by the area striking Kareem three times in the arm.
The shooting took place on 18th Avenue right outside the house of worship. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara says the attack was brazen.
"And I know this is shocking because the shooter was obviously a danger to everyone in this neighborhood, if he was going to attack an elder leaving prayer that's walking with a cane," O'Hara says. "And so I'm thankful that he will survive."
Mosque Leader Makram El-Amin says this incident is just one of a disturbing string of events unfolding near the mosque this month.
"There seems to be a spike in the area of the things that are happening, hit-and-runs and other things in this community that are happening recently," says El-Amin. "And we're here to be an asset to the community and we're calling on this violence to stop."
Police say they've arrested the suspect on an unrelated charge and will update the public as the investigation continues to unfold.