Story highlights NYPD official: "There is nothing in the preliminary investigation that would indicate they were targeted because of their faith"

Police say surveillance video captured the gunman leaving the scene with his weapon in hand

New York (CNN) A New York imam and his assistant were gunned down in broad daylight Saturday after prayers at a nearby mosque, police said.

The two men were shot in the head about 1:50 p.m. in Ozone Park, a working-class section of Queens with a burgeoning Bangladeshi population.

"There is nothing in the preliminary investigation that would indicate they were targeted because of their faith," NYPD Deputy Inspector Henry Sautner told reporters.

Sketch of suspect wanted in killing of Imam Maulama Akonjee, 55.

Imam Maulama Akonjee, 55, and his assistant, Thara Uddin, 64, were transported in critical condition to Jamaica Hospital, where they later died, according to Sautner.

The victims were wearing religious attire at the time of the shooting, according to a law enforcement source with direct knowledge of the investigation.

Read More