Police increase security after shooting near SW Houston mosque
HOUSTON -- Worshipers at a Houston mosque say a man who was just trying to get to services was ambushed by three people outside a nearby apartment complex.
Police say it was an attempted robbery outside the complex on Bintliff and De Moss, near Bellaire.
Mohammed Imaduddin, who worships at the nearby Madrasah Islamiah mosque, says Dr. Arslan Tajammul was on his way to the 5:30am morning prayers when he was approached by three suspects. One of those suspects shot Tajummul.
Tajammul made it to the front entrance of the mosque, where he collapsed. The doctor was able to give his cell phone to someone inside the front doors and asked them to call 911.
He was taken by ambulance to the hospital for treatment. A friend who stayed with the doctor said he was shot twice, and will remain in ICU for 24 hours. He's expected to survive.
We learned from those who worship at the mosque that the victim only recently got married, and lives in the area.
Sadly, one of the eyewitnesses to Dr. Tajammul's attack was just a little boy.
Imaduddin says there were several children outside the mosque when the shooting occurred.
Police say there is no indication this is a hate crime, but those who worship at the mosque are on edge.
"It is very scary right now given the current political climate," Imaduddin says. "This is a community place, we have kids that come here, we have people young and old come here."
Eyewitnesses told police the three suspects ran off again on foot after the attack, and we have yet to get a good description of the suspects from police.
