An Afghan refugee, Muhammad Syed, was convicted of first-degree murder in the fatal shooting of 41-year-old Aftab Hussein in Albuquerque during the summer of 2022. Syed now faces life in prison for this crime and will also stand trial for two other slayings that occurred around the same time.
Prosecutors presented evidence during the trial, including cellphone data and ballistics analysis linking Syed to the shooting. However, the defense argued that there was no direct proof that Syed was the shooter, suggesting that others in his household could have accessed the incriminating items.
Despite the lack of a clear motive presented in court, jurors agreed that Hussein's killing was deliberate. Deputy District Attorney David Waymire expressed uncertainty about the motive, hinting at a possible serial killer scenario where the reasoning remains known only to the perpetrator.
Syed, who settled in the U.S. with his family before the killings, has a history of violence according to prosecutors. The other two victims, Muhammad Afzaal Hussain and Naeem Hussain, were also fatally shot in separate incidents, leaving the community puzzled about the reasons behind the attacks.
Family members of the victims, like Muhammad Imtiaz Hussain, are still seeking answers and justice for their loved ones. Muhammad Afzaal Hussain, a promising individual with a bright future, had come to the U.S. from Pakistan for educational and economic opportunities, only to have his life cut short by senseless violence.
While Syed has been identified as a suspect in a previous killing, no charges have been filed in that case. Authorities were able to track him down following the third murder in 2022, thanks to tips from the public after a vehicle linked to the crimes was identified.
During the trial, prosecutors detailed the events of the first killing, describing how Hussein was ambushed and fatally shot outside his apartment complex. The brutal nature of the attack was evident from the multiple wounds Hussein sustained, with some bullets piercing his body and car.
As the legal proceedings continue, the community remains shaken by the tragic loss of lives and the lingering questions surrounding the motives behind these heinous crimes.
