Utah religious leader targeted in Sandy shooting speaks out

SANDY — A person fired several shots at a religious leader in Sandy on Monday night while he was in his car, according to police and the Utah Islamic Center. Investigators were still searching for the shooter on Tuesday.

The leader was not harmed, the Utah Islamic Center said.

Sgt. Michael Olsen with the Sandy Police Department said the shots rang out at approximately 7:30 p.m. in the area of 700 West and 9000 South.

Olsen said a person in a vehicle shot at another vehicle. That vehicle was hit by seven or eight bullets.

The Utah Islamic Center said the man who was shot at was Imam Shuaib Din, adding that “an individual followed Imam Shuaib from his home and fired several shots at him.”

Olsen said investigators knew the victim was a member of the Muslim community, but were “working on all available motives,” including the possibility of a hate crime. However, the motive could not be determined as of Tuesday afternoon.

Police did not have a description of the shooter, but Olsen said there were several witnesses and they were cooperating with investigators.

Detective Rhonda Hiller with the West Jordan Police Department said her department was taking “extra precautions” on Tuesday, because that’s where the Utah Islamic Center is located.

The Utah Islamic Center said it would implement “heightened security measures.” It also asked the community to avoid speculation in the wake of the shooting.

From Imam Shuaib’s perspective

Din told KSL NewsRadio he was pulling away from his house when a man who was parked outside got out of his car and took out what appeared to be a gun. As Din pulled up to a stop sign, he called 911. Then, the other car came up beside him.

“He stopped his car next to me and came out of his car and fired his pistol at me — eight shots,” Din recounted. “All eight bullets hit the car. They’re just whizzing past me going through the windshield, side window, back seat, front door.”

Din said it was God’s protection that kept him from being injured in the shooting.

“I can’t think of anyone who would want to hurt me so it makes sense to investigate this as a possible hate crime,” Din said.

The shooting comes as Muslims all across the world are celebrating Ramadan, the holiest month for the religion. Din hopes this incident does not scare them away from worship.

“It’s unfortunate. It’s frightening. I will have to take extra precautions when leaving the house moving forward,” Din said. “But it’s not going to deter me from what I have always enjoyed doing which is serving the religious needs of my community.”

Community condemns violence

Sandy Mayor Monica Zoltanski said Tuesday that she was “deeply troubled” by the shooting and she was grateful that Din was unhurt.

“While the motive remains under investigation, we cannot ignore that this occurred during the sacred month of Ramadan — a time of prayer, reflection, and peace for Muslims around the world. That makes this especially unsettling for our community,” the mayor said. “To our Muslim residents and neighbors: you are valued members of Sandy. We stand with you.”

The Sandy Police Department said in a press release that investigators were “sensitive to the time of year that this has occurred, specifically Ramadan.” The department also said it was working with other law enforcement departments, including the FBI.

“We are committed to providing a safe community to all the residents of Sandy, no matter their faith or background,” Sandy PD said.

The United Jewish Federation of Utah released a statement on Tuesday, saying “no faith leader, and no person, should fear violence because of who they are or where they pray.”

“Regardless of motive, violence directed at a faith leader and a house of worship threatens the safety and dignity of all Utahns. We stand in unequivocal solidarity with Imam Shuaib, his family, and the Muslim community across our state,” the Jewish Federation said. “Our state is strongest when neighbors stand together across lines of faith and background, ensuring our houses of worship remain places of peace and safety.”

Officials asked anybody with information about the shooting to call the Sandy Police Department at 801-568-7200.

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This story may be updated.