Meriden police are getting closer to making an arrest in a shooting at a local mosque and city leaders say a suspect has been identified.
Shots were fired into a mosque last Friday, leaving bullet hole marks. Members of the Baitul Aman Mosque in Meriden discovered the scene of violence just before last Sunday evening's prayer.
The FBI has taken over the case because the deadly Paris terror attacks may have triggered the incident.
City leaders said there is only one suspect, but they haven't said whether that person has been arrested. Authorities haven't released the name of the suspect at this time.
The news comes as mosque leaders get set to open their doors to the public on Saturday for a question and answer session with mosque leaders and the FBI. On Friday, the public was invited to come to the Baitul Aman Mosque to watch members pray.
“Whatever question going through anybody's mind. Are you guys affiliated with ISIS? What is Islam about? There are no dumb questions," Salaam Bhatti, spokesperson for the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, said.
Bhatti previously said they condemn those attacks and all acts of terrorism and that they're standing up rather than bowing down to fear. The community has been supportive, Bhatti said.
Local
"What we practice here, that is true Islam, being kind to neighbors, participating in Thanksgiving turkey drives, being part of the Christmas gift giving and the Daffodil Festival," Bhatti said. "These things that make us a stronger community, that is what Islam is about, not killing innocent people," said Bhatti.
That open house runs from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday.
