Midday prayers at a Flushing mosque turned chaotic on Friday when a masked man pulled what police say was a BB-style pistol, only to be quickly swarmed and restrained by worshippers and bystanders before officers arrived.
Authorities later identified the suspect as 33-year-old Sheikh Haque of Buffalo. He was charged with weapons possession and menacing, and arraignment was listed as pending in Queens Criminal Court. The confrontation unfolded inside the Muslim Center of New York during Friday services, leaving congregants rattled as investigators moved through the prayer hall.
The arrest reportedly happened at about 1:30 p.m. inside the center on Geranium Avenue near Kissena Boulevard, where a congregant tackled the masked man after he pulled the small pistol, according to the New York Daily News. Police told reporters the device appeared to be a BB-style pistol and that the suspect was taken into custody at the scene. Mosque leaders worked closely with investigators while the NYPD collected witness statements and physical evidence.
Elected officials moved quickly to condemn the incident and to applaud the people who stepped in. Congresswoman Grace Meng said she was grateful for law enforcement and for the bystanders who disarmed and held the suspect. New York Attorney General Tish James called the episode “horrific” and urged New Yorkers to stand united against Islamophobia, and Senator Chuck Schumer said he was relieved the suspect had been subdued, according to the New York Daily News. Their remarks echoed growing worries about the safety of houses of worship in recent months.
The arrest comes as city data show a rise in anti-Muslim incidents this year. The NYPD reported that confirmed hate crimes against Muslims increased from 14 to 21 in the first half of 2026, according to police counts. Faith leaders in Queens say congregations have stepped up vigilance at larger services and are coordinating with law enforcement on safety plans. The Muslim Center of New York, which lists its address on Geranium Avenue and hosts regular Friday services for a sizable Bangladeshi and South Asian community, said it would continue to work with authorities on security measures, according to the Muslim Center of New York.
Legal Process and Next Steps
Police charged the suspect with weapons possession and menacing, and authorities said prosecutors had not immediately filed a hate-crime enhancement while arraignment remained pending in Queens Criminal Court. Menacing and weapons-possession counts carry penalties that depend on whether a court treats the device as a dangerous instrument and on the defendant’s record. Investigators told reporters they would review witness video and statements as part of the ongoing investigation, and officials noted that formal filings could change as the case develops.
For now, mosque leaders and elected officials are urging calm while emphasizing accountability and a thorough investigation. Anyone with video or information about the incident was asked to contact the NYPD, and court records are expected to be the next public source for updates on charges and arraignment details.
