A man has been arrested after a firearm was discharged outside York Mosque and Islamic Centre on Bull Lane. North Yorkshire Police said the incident happened at about 02:15 BST, and the suspect remains in custody for questioning.
Police said the arrested man was a 44-year-old white UK national from York. This information has been released by the police consistent with their national guidelines, external. The suspect left the area in a silver vehicle before he was held, and officers said the firearm was believed to have been an air rifle. No-one was hurt.
Mohamad Douba, president of the mosque, said police were alerted after a member noticed suspicious activity and heard what appeared to be a shooting.
“They immediately contacted the police, who attended the scene promptly.
“We would like to thank our brave member of the community for their quick thinking and for immediately alerting the police.
“We are grateful that no-one was injured, and there have been no reports of any members of our congregation, staff, volunteers or students being harmed.”
Police said there would be extra patrols in the area.
A police cordon is in place and Douba said the mosque was currently closed as a precaution. He said the mosque was co-operating fully with the authorities and would provide an update to the community once there was confirmation that it was safe to reopen.
“We will inform everyone as soon as the mosque is ready to resume normal activities.
“The safety and wellbeing of our worshippers, students, staff, volunteers and the wider community remain our highest priority.”
In a statement, North Yorkshire Police said it was too early to say what may have been the motivation behind the incident, but that the Muslim community in York could be reassured that officers were doing everything they could to establish the full circumstances.
“It is too early to say what may have been the motivation behind this disturbing incident, but our Muslim community in York can be reassured that we are doing everything we can to establish the full circumstances.”
The force said there would be high-visibility patrols in the area around the mosque and officers would meet the imam. Witnesses or anyone with information, CCTV or dashcam footage that could support the investigation are asked to contact police.
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Key Facts
- The incident happened outside York Mosque and Islamic Centre on Bull Lane at about 02:15 BST.
- North Yorkshire Police arrested a 44-year-old white UK national from York.
- The suspect left in a silver vehicle before being detained and remains in custody for questioning.
- Police believe the firearm may have been an air rifle and said no-one was injured.
- Extra patrols and high-visibility policing have been deployed around the mosque.
