New York – A man suspected of gunning down a Queens imam and his friend outside a mosque was taken into custody Sunday night, sources said.

The motive in the horrific Saturday afternoon killings may be an ongoing feud between Muslims and Hispanics, according to sources. They said an NYPD Regional Fugitive Task Force was conducting what turned out to be a “brief surveillance” on the suspect in Queens when he rammed an unmarked cop car and officers nabbed him.

Police officials could not confirm whether a suspect was in custody. Video of the Saturday night ambush showed the shooting was a planned execution.

[…] Sources also pointed to an ongoing feud between Muslims and Hispanics in the neighborhood. A group of Muslims allegedly attacked some Hispanics a few weeks before, and the shooting may have been pay back.

At 1:50 p.m., the assassin quickly approached mosque leader Maulama Akonjee, 55, and Thara Uddin, 65, from behind at Liberty Ave. and 79th St. and shot them both in the head at close range. The double killing came just moments after prayers concluded at the Al-Furqan Jame Mosque in Ozone Park. (read more)