Shooting near Columbus mosque leaves 1 dead but was not connected to the mosque, police say
One person was killed in a shooting on Albert Avenue, the ATF said. 10TV reported that a second victim was located, but the ATF said earlier reports of a possible second victim "have not been confirmed at this time."
As of 4:58 p.m. ET, Monday, Oct. 19, 2026
COLUMBUS, Ohio — A shooting near a mosque in northeast Columbus on Monday afternoon left one person dead but was not connected to the mosque or those who were inside, police said, The Associated Press reported. Police later said the shooting happened in the parking lot of an apartment complex next to the mosque, according to the AP.
"At the mosque, unfortunately, there was an event going on that had nothing to do with what was going on outside," Columbus police Sgt. James Fuqua said, according to the AP. "... But it's super important that I make it clear that this shooting had nothing to do with an attack on the mosque itself."
The ATF's Columbus Field Division said in a statement posted on X at 4:29 p.m. ET: "Preliminary information indicates that funeral attendees had exited the Alrahma Mosque, located at 2226 Albert Avenue in Columbus, Ohio, when shots were reportedly fired by an undetermined number of individuals." The agency said, "One individual has been confirmed deceased. Earlier reports of a possible second victim have not been confirmed at this time."
Officers responded to a report of a shooting around 2:10 p.m. ET in the 2200 block of Albert Avenue, and Columbus police said one person was pronounced dead at 2:19 p.m. ET, 10TV reported. 10TV also reported that a second victim was located and that officials had not said that person's condition; the ATF's later statement said reports of a possible second victim had not been confirmed. Fuqua said the shooting was not a targeted attack on the mosque and that investigators believe it stemmed from an altercation nearby, according to 10TV, which described the shooting's location as near the mosque. A large section of Albert Avenue was closed off by crime scene tape near Westerville Road, 10TV reported.
The ATF said its special agents are assisting the Columbus Division of Police with the investigation and that additional information will be provided as it becomes available.
Police had not released information about any suspects or a motive as of 4:58 p.m. ET.
Sources
- Associated Press, via KSAT, "Shooting near Ohio mosque leaves 1 dead but was not connected to the building, police say," Oct. 19, 2026, first published 3:39 p.m. ET (19:39 UTC), updated 4:52 p.m. ET (20:52 UTC): https://www.ksat.com/news/national/2026/10/19/federal-agents-respond-to-a-reported-shooting-at-a-mosque-in-columbus-ohio-officials-say/
- ATF Columbus Field Division on X (@ATFColumbus), statement, Oct. 19, 2026, 4:29 p.m. ET (20:29 UTC): https://x.com/ATFColumbus/status/2112280087215153632
- 10TV (WBNS), "1 dead, 1 injured in shooting near a northeast Columbus mosque," Oct. 19, 2026, 3:10 p.m. ET (19:10 UTC), updated 4:22 p.m. ET (20:22 UTC): https://www.10tv.com/article/news/local/northeast-columbus-fatal-shooting-mosque/530-a2839f81-41e0-43a2-a1c2-0b76ee6285d2
