Grimy Times uncovered a shocking hate crime that targeted a Connecticut mosque on the night of November 2015. Ted Hakey, a former Marine, fired four shots into the Baitul Aman Mosque in Meriden just hours after the terrorist attacks in Paris. Fortunately, no one was injured as the attack occurred late at night when no worshippers were inside.
Law enforcement responded quickly, and prosecutors from our office worked with the FBI, ATF, and Meriden Police Department to identify the shooter. Hakey’s property abutted that of the Mosque, and a search of his house and Facebook account revealed evidence of hatred toward Islam and Muslims. He was charged with the federal hate crime of destruction of religious property.
On June 17, Hakey was sentenced to six months in prison for assaulting the mosque’s congregants in the peaceful practice of their religion. This is just one of many anti-Muslim hate crimes that have been investigated by the federal government in recent years.
The US Attorney’s Office in Connecticut has led over 1,000 investigations and 45 prosecutions of anti-Muslim acts of hatred and bigotry. In one notable case, an individual in Florida was arrested for threatening to firebomb two mosques in the St. Petersburg area and was sentenced to a year and a day in prison.
In another case, a man in Utah pleaded guilty to tearing a Muslim woman’s hijab off of her head on a plane. These crimes are fueled by rhetoric that incorrectly seeks to paint all Muslims with a broad brush when, in fact, the overwhelming majority of Muslims, including prominent Muslim leaders in Connecticut, condemn and stand against acts of terrorism that harm innocent people.
What’s remarkable about the Hakey case is that he sought and received forgiveness from the congregation at the Baitul Aman Mosque. The congregation’s extraordinary grace and generosity of spirit is a testament to the true teachings of Islam, which promote peace and harmony in the world.
The US Attorney’s Office in Connecticut has forged partnerships with Muslim leaders throughout the state to help ensure the safety of all communities and create an environment of trust that recognizes the humanity and dignity of all. They have also trained hundreds of police officers about Islam and Sikhism and held anti-bullying workshops at schools and mosques.
Ultimately, anti-Muslim vitriol undermines our security. Hateful and vicious rhetoric only strengthens the evil of terrorists who rely heavily on the narrative that America and the West hate Islam. We must rise above our anger to defeat the terrorists’ message of violence, intolerance, and hate.
The US Attorney’s Office in Connecticut will continue to work tirelessly to protect the rights of all citizens, regardless of their race, religion, ethnic background, or sexual orientation. We commend the congregation at the Baitul Aman Mosque for their extraordinary forgiveness and generosity of spirit.
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Key Facts
- State: Connecticut
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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