Minneapolis Somali community shocked by latest homicide

As the afternoon call for prayer echoed across Karmel Mall in south Minneapolis, store owners closed up shop and headed to the masjid.

It was exactly 24 hours after the city's 40th homicide victim of the year was reportedly seen practicing that same ritual before he was shot in the head a block down the street.

Abdi Hagi Mohamed Liban's body laid in the street for hours as investigators examined the scene. Authorities haven't yet identified him, but friends and family say Liban was in his 60s and worked as a security guard at a Minneapolis Public Housing Agency high rise and prayed at Karmel Mall's mosque during his breaks.

The homicide shocked some in the Somali community and saddened others. A gruesome photo of Liban's body still dressed in his uniform was posted on Facebook.

Jibril Afyare had dinner with Liban a few nights ago. He described him as a "quiet man, very simple man."

Afyare, president of the Somali Citizens League, took Minneapolis police officers and city officials Tuesday to meet with community members near where Liban died. He said residents of the building who knew the security guard cried as they recalled his peaceful demeanor and willingness to help translate their mail.

"This was a very, very emotional day," he said, adding that many people questioned how Liban could be a target.

Minneapolis police say the investigation is ongoing but it appears the shooter knew the victim. Police told members of the Somali community they're committed to solving the case.

"I think it's sad that it took a tragic event like this for us to come together tighter as a community," Minneapolis Police Inspector Todd Loining said. "But nevertheless it is occurring and you can see it and I want to make sure that we further develop upon this down the road."

This is the second homicide in the past four months that reverberated through the Somali community. In July, a 24-year-old identified as Abdirahman Ahmed Jined died of gunshot wounds to the abdomen and chest at the intersection of Franklin and Chicago Avenues in south Minneapolis.

An employee at Karmel Mall who, citing safety concerns, identified himself by only by his first name, said it's not surprising to see people dying in the neighborhood anymore.

"It's just getting way too common now," he said. "You're hearing every other day, every other week that somebody got shot."

Liban's public death reminded some Somalis of the war zones they escaped. They say gun violence shouldn't be the answer to conflict resolution in a country from which they sought refuge.

"Because what happened over there it looks similar to here too," said Samatra Yare, who was visiting friends from Seattle at Karmel Mall around the time of the shooting. "The community has to do something, the mayor has to do something and the police have to be responsible for what happened."

Afyare said the community plans to gather again in response to the shooting at 7 p.m. Sunday at Horn Towers.