Muslim man shot dead while taking pictures of his first snowfall after fleeing to US to escape IS

Ahmed was shot by alleged rifle-toting African American gunmen outside his apartment in Dallas, Texas

Just days after a mentally ill man shot dead a Pakistani in Kentucky for no apparent reason, a Muslim man who had fled the Islamic State in Iraq to Dallas, Texas, was shot dead by unknown gunmen as he was taking pictures of the snow, LA Times reported.

Ahmed Al-Jumaili, who had moved to America to escape the IS, walked out of his apartment along with his wife on Wednesday night to take pictures of snow for the first time. Near midnight, they were enjoying the weather when a group of men with rifles opened fire at them without warning.

The Dallas Police Department said that he received a fatal bullet in his chest from a rifle. He was taken to the hospital for where he succumbed to his wounds. However, they added they were unsure of the motive behind the attack.

Al-Jumaili and his wife had moved from Iraq to Dallas, Texas, just 20 days ago to give a new start to their newly married life in a ‘safer place’.

 

PHOTO: Facebook

Authorities are suspecting that Al-Jumaili was a victim of hate crime.

Alia Salem, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) in the Dallas and Fort Worth area, in a detailed post on Facebook on Friday said that Al-Jumaili took cover behind a pickup truck when a around five to six young African Americans allegedly opened fire at them.

Salem said that a bullet pierced through the truck and hit him in the chest.

 

PHOTO: Facebook

"There was nothing said to Ahmed or his wife and her brother by the perpetrators in advance of the shots," Salem wrote. "Including no verbal insults or derogatory slurs."

She added that neither Al-Jumaili, or his wife were wearing clothing at the time which would indicate their religion.

Council on American-Islamic Relations Alia Salem asking the public's help to bring justice to Mr. Jumali. pic.twitter.com/nVIiFRGMxq

— Dallas Police Dept (@DallasPD) March 6, 2015

Mr. Al-Jumaili was struck with rounds believed to be from a rifle. pic.twitter.com/MHxxivmr8E

— Dallas Police Dept (@DallasPD) March 6, 2015

CNN reports that residents saw two to four men entering the Walnut Blend Apartment complex through the vehicle gate.

The police department says they have less evidence in the investigation and will be needing help from people to solve the case. They have offered a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and indictment of the perpetrators.

LaunchGood, a fundraising website which has started a collection for Al-Jumaili's family, says the couple, who had just got married 16 months ago, and reunited just three weeks ago in Dallas.

 

PHOTO: LaunchGood

Salem added in her post that Zahara, Al-Jumaili's wife, was not only going through an emotional crisis but a financial one as well. The fundraiser has helped in collecting $9,000 for the Al-Jumaili’s memorial and family fund.

Muslims residing are America have been shaken in a series of attacks in recent weeks, most prominently the shooting in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, which left three people dead, raising fears for Muslim safety in the US and rising trend of hate crimes.