Imam Is Critically Wounded in Shooting Outside New Jersey Mosque

An imam was shot and critically wounded outside a New Jersey mosque on Wednesday, the authorities said.

The police responded to the scene of the shooting, the Masjid Muhammad mosque in Newark, shortly after 6 a.m., according to Fritz Fragé, Newark’s public safety director.

The victim, whom the police identified as an imam at the mosque, was taken to University Hospital and is in critical condition. An investigation is underway, said Mr. Fragé, who said that the gunman was at large and did not reveal a motive for the shooting.

On Wednesday morning, the mosque was cordoned off with crime scene tape as people milled around looking for information.

Dwayne Hill, 64, said he had lived near the mosque his entire life and that those who worship there had always been good neighbors.

“The mosque people are no problem. They keep to themselves and do what they believe in,” he said. “They’ve been feeding and clothing the neighborhood for years.”

This is a developing story and will be updated.

Mark Bonamo contributed reporting from Newark.