A fatal Monday shooting occurred in a Columbus neighborhood close to a local mosque, police said. The gunfire left one person dead outside the property. Officers quickly established that the violence had no connection to the house of worship or its occupants.
Federal and local authorities rushed to the scene northeast of downtown Columbus. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives posted on X about the response. The agency said agents responded to a report of gunfire at the site.
Police later clarified the exact location of the gunfire. The incident happened in an apartment complex parking lot next to the mosque property.
An event was underway inside the building at the time of the incident, Sgt. James Fuqua said.
“At the mosque, unfortunately, there was an event going on that had nothing to do with what was going on outside. … But it’s super important that I make it clear that this shooting had nothing to do with an attack on the mosque itself.”
Local police departments secure scenes and gather evidence after fatal neighborhood shootings. Officers routinely interview witnesses and coordinate with federal partners during major emergency calls.
The ATF did not immediately return a phone message seeking more information about the Columbus response.
