New York imam shooting suspect charged with murder

New York police have charged a man with murder in connection with the killing of an imam and an aide on Saturday.

On Monday, the New York Police Department said Oscar Morel, 35, had been charged with two counts of second-degree murder and with criminal possession of a weapon.

He was arrested on Sunday following a hit-and-run traffic accident just after the shootings.

Imam Maulama Akonjee, 55, and Thara Uddin, 64, were shot in the head as they were walking after prayers in the borough of Queens.

Some mosque-goers suggested it was a hate crime, but police said there was no evidence so far that the men had been targeted because of their faith.

Some of those who attended the funeral service for the deceased held placards that read "We want justice."

Police gave no details about a possible motive for the shooting.