Suspect in deaths of 4 Muslim men denies having role in the killings in Albuquerque
A suspect arrested after four Muslim men were killed in New Mexico denied having a role in their deaths, claiming he was considering a move to Houston because he was rattled by the crimes, according to new court documents.
Muhammad Syed, 51, had his first court appearance on Wednesday, via video. Judge Renee Torres advised him not to speak.
“OK, sounds good,” Syed said, according to NBC News. “Yes, your honor whatever you guys think is the right thing sounds good.”
He is in custody pending another court appearance next week.
Syed was arrested Monday in connection with the killings that occurred in different locations around Albuquerque. Three of the deaths were in late July or early August; the first victim was killed last November, officials say.
Syed was pulled over more than 100 miles outside of Albuquerque, with officials saying he knew the victims.
A criminal complaint says a handgun was found inside Syed’s car, as were bullet casings that matched the caliber of guns officials suspect were used in two shootings.
A gun found at Syed’s home was connected to casings from those crime scenes, according to authorities.
Muhammad Syed denies guilt in the killings.
Syed, who is from Afghanistan, told officials he was on his way to Houston, where he was looking for home for his family amid the recent violence in Albuquerque.
His son, Shaheen Syed, was charged Wednesday with providing a false Florida address when he bought two rifles last year. He has not been charged in the killings.
The victim killed last November, 62-year-old Mohammad Ahmadi, was from Afghanistan. The three victims killed in recent weeks — Muhammad Afzaal Hussain, 27, Aftab Hussein, 41, and Naeem Hussain, 25 — were from Pakistan.
Suspect arrested in killings of 4 Muslim men in Albuquerque
Authorities say each of the victims was ambushed.
Syed is charged with murdering Muhammad Afzaal Hussain and Aftab Hussein. He has not been charged in the deaths of Naeem Hussain or Ahmadi, but officials consider him to be the primary suspect.
“The offender knew the victims to some extent, and an interpersonal conflict may have led to the shootings,” police said.
Syed fought against the Taliban with the Afghan military, he told investigators. Police say Syed has lived in the United States for five years.
With News Wire Services