Monday, July 13, 2009

The Death of Imam Ali Mohammed of Yermo, California July 2009


The FBI should investigate the death of a Yermo, Calif. imam as a potential hate crime after the Muslim religious leader's body was discovered inside a burned-down residence this past weekend.
Ali Mohammed, the founder of a Yermo mosque, went to the nearby house on Saturday to clean up hate graffiti written inside before he was killed in an explosion, family members said.
The house was once occupied by Mohammed and his family, but they were forced to move out recently becase of alleged anti-Muslim harassment and prejudice by people in the area. One person suspected of harassing the family was sent to prison in 2008 according to area officials.
Police in the area are calling the explosion and fire "suspicious" but have not yet made a determination as to the cause. An autopsy on Mohammed was expected to be performed on Thursday.
Imam Ali Mohammed was regarded as a respected community leader who had helped establish other mosques in the area.
The mosque founded by the imam and located near the burned house was also the target of an arson attack in 2007.
Nazi swastikas, American symbols and racial epithets were spraypainted on the walls of the home two days before it burned down, according to Ali Mohammed's son. PHOTOS: Mohammed family.
Graffiti written on the walls inside the house before the fire that killed Mohammed reportedly said: "F*** you Arab," "KKK, sand n**er," "go home Arab" with American flags and a Nazi swastika also drawn on the walls.
"My father was a deeply caring person who worked toward building peace, unity and harmony among residents of the High Desert," said Hadie Mohammed, the imam's son. "During this time of immense grief, my family is grateful for the condolences and community support and pray that those who committed this horrific crime will face justice."
The incident is another in a wave potential hate crimes.
Earlier this month a mosque in Cypress, Calif. was vandalized with graffiti, stating "F**k You, "we're going to kill you," and "US Military is going to kill you all."
Police are treating the vandalism at the Cypress mosque as a hate crime.
http://www.arabamericannews.com/news/index.php?mod=article&cat=USA&article=2306

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Steve McNair Murder July-4 2009 Nashville, Tennessee

The girlfriend of former NFL star Steve McNair first shot him in his right temple, then fired three more shots at close range, most likely as he slept, police said Wednesday.McNair, 36, and Sahel Kazemi, 20, were found fatally shot in a condominium in downtown Nashville on Saturday afternoon, authorities said.

"McNair was seated on the sofa and likely was asleep, and we believe that Kazemi shot him in the right temple, then shot him twice in the chest, and then shot him a final time in the left temple," Serpas said. Kazemi was actually the aunt of Sepideh Salmani, but they were raised as sisters. Salmani's mother adopted her when she was 9, after Kazemi's mother was killed in their native Iran. Salmani talked to her sister every day, and said she was very happy in her relationship with Steve McNair.New details have been unveiled in the death of former NFL QB Steve McNair last week in Nashville, and most point to a murder-suicide by his mistress. While officials have yet to confirm the theory because she didn't appear to have a motive, that
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WREG/WTVF/AP) - Former Titans quarterback Steve McNair has been killed. Police said McNair was shot mutliple times and that the 20-year old woman found dead with him in a downtown condominium was shot once in the head. A pistol was found near her body.
Nashville police spokesman Don Aaron identified the woman as Sahel Kazemi, whom he called a "friend" of McNair's. Autopsies were planned for Sunday.
A 20-year old female, Sahel Kazemi, was found dead in the condo as well, with a single gunshot wound to her head. She was found dead laying on top of the gun. Kazemi’s sister, Soheyla Kazemi, told ESPN that McNair told her sister that he was going to get a divorce so they could get married.
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/2009-07-05-kazemi-family_N.htm
http://www.ballerstatus.com/2009/07/08/details-emerge-in-steve-mcnair-death-most-point-to-murder-suicide/
http://bumpshack.com/2009/07/04/steve-mcnair-dead-from-murdersuicide/