MONCKS CORNER, S.C. — Authorities say a suspect has been taken into custody in connection with a shooting inside a Moncks Corner mosque that left one man hospitalized and prompted an intensive multi-agency investigation.
Deputies with the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office located and arrested the suspect Sunday afternoon following an alert from an automated license plate reader system, according to the Moncks Corner Police Department. Investigators said the system flagged a vehicle linked to the reported shooting at the Muhajirun Wal Ansar Mosque.
Deputies conducted a traffic stop around 2 p.m., taking the suspect into custody without incident. The individual was arrested on two outstanding warrants issued by Moncks Corner police, including attempted murder and possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime. The suspect is currently being held at the Santa Rosa County Jail as authorities work to coordinate extradition back to South Carolina.
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The arrest follows a shooting reported earlier Sunday at the mosque, located at 1020 Old U.S. 52. Berkeley County Dispatch received a 911 call around noon reporting a man suffering from multiple gunshot wounds inside the building. Officers arrived within minutes and found the victim injured.
Emergency medical personnel transported the victim to Trident Hospital, where officials said he remains in stable condition.
Police initially identified a person of interest in the case, but that individual was later cleared after further investigation. Continued investigative efforts ultimately led authorities to the suspect now in custody.
Investigators say the shooting stemmed from a dispute between individuals who were temporarily staying at the mosque. Authorities emphasized that there is no evidence the incident was politically or religiously motivated and described it as an isolated incident with no ongoing threat to the public.
In a statement released following the shooting, leaders at the Muhajirun Wal Ansar Mosque said a man seeking refuge had come to the mosque and that an altercation occurred involving individuals not part of the congregation. The mosque confirmed that a community member was injured in the incident and said he is now in stable condition.
The statement also called on the surrounding community to come together with compassion and support, noting the mosque has served Moncks Corner for 30 years and remains committed to coexistence, care for those in need and community unity.
Moncks Corner police said the investigation remains active.
