The Latest: Anti-defamation group expresses solidarity

NEW YORK (AP) — The Latest on the shooting of the leader of a New York City mosque and a friend (all times local):

9:45 a.m.

The Anti-Defamation League is expressing solidarity with New York City's Muslim community in the wake of the fatal shootings of the leader of a mosque and a friend as they left afternoon prayers in Queens.

The organization says that while the motive for the crime is still unknown, nothing can justify the killing of two men walking from their place of worship.

It is urging the NYPD to investigate the shootings as a possible bias crime.

The ADL fights anti-Semitism around the world through programs and services.

Police were searching Sunday for the suspect who killed 55-year-old Imam Maulama Akonjee and 64-year-old Thara Uddin. The shooter approached them from behind as they left the Al-Furqan Jame Masjid mosque shortly before 2 p.m. Saturday.

Police have not announced a motive.

5:30 a.m.

New York City police have released a sketch of the suspect they say fatally shot the leader of a mosque and a friend as they left afternoon prayers.

Police say witnesses described the shooter of 55-year-old Imam Maulama Akonjee and 64-year-old Thara Uddin as a man with a medium complexion, last seen wearing a dark shirt and blue shorts. Police released a sketch early Sunday of a dark-haired, bearded man wearing glasses.

Authorities say the shooter approached them from behind as they left the Al-Furqan Jame Masjid mosque in Queens shortly before 2 p.m. Saturday. Police say video surveillance showed the suspect then fled south on 79th Street with the gun still in his hand.

Police say they haven't determined a motive, and that there's no indication the men were targeted because of their faith. But members of the Bangladeshi Muslim community served by the mosque worry it could be a hate crime.

More than 100 people attended a rally Saturday night.

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1 a.m.

New York City police are searching for the man who fatally shot the leader of a mosque and a friend as they left afternoon prayers.

Police say 55-year-old Imam Maulama Akonjee and 64-year-old Thara Uddin were fatally shot by someone who approached them from behind as they left the Al-Furqan Jame Masjid mosque in Queens shortly before 2 p.m. Saturday.

Police say they haven't determined a motive, and that there's no indication the men were targeted because of their faith, but members of the Bangladeshi Muslim community served by the mosque worry it could be a hate crime. More than 100 people attended a rally Saturday night.

Naima Akonjee, the imam's daughter, says her father didn't have "any problems with anyone."