Tragic shooting: Man killed while heading to prayers at US mosque

A man was ambushed and fatally shot while heading to prayers at a North Philadelphia mosque on Tuesday afternoon, according to Philadelphia police.

The victim, a 43-year-old man, was walking with another individual to the Al-Aqsa Islamic Society when the shooter approached from behind and began firing, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported.

Surveillance footage captured the attacker continuing to shoot even after the victim fell to the ground, described by Chief Inspector Scott Small as an "execution-type homicide."

In at least one camera angle, police footage shows the victim walking with another man to the mosque for prayers. The video captures the shooter running up behind the victim and firing shots from a few feet away. As the victim falls, the shooter stands over him and continues to fire.

The incident occurred in the mosque's parking lot on the 1500 block of Germantown Avenue just before 5 p.m. Responding officers found the victim with multiple gunshot wounds to his head, chest, and torso. He was pronounced dead at the Temple University Hospital at 5:13 pm.

Seventeen spent shell casings from a large-caliber semi-automatic weapon were recovered at the scene.

The shooter, described as a man in dark clothing, fled in a dark-colored sedan with a possible replacement tire on the front passenger side. The motive remains unknown, and no arrests have been made. Police are reviewing surveillance footage and speaking with witnesses, including the uninjured individual who was with the victim.

Authorities are urging anyone with information to contact the Philadelphia Police Department's Homicide Unit, with a $20,000 reward offered for tips leading to an arrest and conviction.