Man shot outside of Providence mosque in broad daylight

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Around 11 a.m. Friday morning a 50-year-old man was shot while he was selling Islamic goods outside of the Islamic Center of Rhode Island.

“We had officers in the neighborhood and undercover officers that are usually around, they responded within minutes,” Providence Police Chief Oscar Perez said. “We found a victim, a 50-year-old man who had been shot.”

Police said the victim was shot in his backside and was taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

The department said the victim worked at the mosque and was selling Islamic goods outside when he was shot.

Police added they are still investigating the shooting and are not yet ready to say if the victim’s religion played any role in the shooting.

“I have no factual evidence of that right now,” Perez said. “The victim was a worker here, he is affiliated with the mosque. He was selling Islamic goods in front of the mosque and all we know is someone came up and shot him specifically.”

The chief told ABC 6 News there were witnesses outside that police spoke to and there will be police present in the area to provide extra security.

Providence police said they take any violent actions seriously and they are working to gather evidence.