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Gunman Found "Not Guilty" In Memphis Mosque Attack
MEMPHIS, Tenn. Jan. 14 (IslamOnline & News Agencies) - A gunman who opened fire at a Memphis mosque two years ago, critically injuring a Muslim worshiper, was declared not guilty by reason of insanity last week.
Criminal Court Judge, Chris Craft, ruled 29-year-old Brent Fong not guilty on one count each of attempted first-degree murder and reckless endangerment, and ordered that he be committed to a mental institution for at least 60 days.
"I'm not ruling that what he did was not wrong," Craft said, directing his comments to victim Najeh Abdel-Karim. "What he did was horrible."
In the early hours of June 20, 2000, Brent Fong opened fire at the Masjid Al-Noor mosque, located near the University of Memphis. The gunfire critically wounded Najeh Abdel-Karim and severely damaged the mosque's front entrance.
In the one-hour trial Thursday, Abdel-Karim told the courtroom that he frequently prayed at the mosque after finishing his shift as a truck driver. On the day of the attack, Abdel-Karim said that Fong, who lived next door to the mosque, approached him and asked about a package.
He testified that without any warning, Fong shot him in the pelvis and groin with a 20-gauge shotgun. Abdel-Karim added that after he managed to run for cover in the mosque, Fong fired several times into the front doors. He also said that at an earlier occasion, Fong had thrown garbage in the mosque and told worshipers to "go back where you came from."
"The only crime I have done is I wanted to worship my God," said Abdel-Karim, who said he has permanent nerve damage, scarring and pain from the shooting. "He was insane, but for me, my life was destroyed."
Fong did not testify in his trial, but admitted to the shooting through his attorney.
Two psychologists at the trial testified that Fong was severely psychotic at the time of the shooting. Prosecutors, who submitted a report from a third psychologist, which concurred with the other findings, did not contest their testimony.
The reports said that Fong began having mental problems at age 17, and has been diagnosed as having schizo-affective disorder, a severe mental disease which includes delusions, auditory hallucinations, irrational judgment, anxiety and depression.
"He was tremendously disturbed," said psychologist Dr. Lynne Zager, who said she feared for her safety when interviewing Fong three days after the shooting. "He was psychotic."
Another psychologist, Dr. Lucy Vinturella, said one of Fong's motives in the shooting was "to purify the world of everything but the white race." She said that there was further evidence of his disturbed thinking, since it presumably would include wiping out his own race, which is Chinese.
Fong has been committed to the Memphis Mental Health Institute until March 11 pending further review by the court. He could be released with conditions, such as supervision and a continuing treatment plan, if he is not found to be a threat to himself or others.
He has been free on bond for more than a year with a monitoring device and requirements to take medication and attend regular mental health sessions.
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