One reported dead in shooting near Columbus, Ohio mosque; police say mosque was not targeted

COLUMBUS, Ohio — At least one person was killed in a shooting near a mosque in Columbus, Ohio, on Monday, according to police cited by local media. Federal agents responded, and police said the mosque was not targeted.

The Columbus office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) said on X that its agents were responding. "Additional information will be shared as it becomes available," the office wrote.

Police: not an attack on the mosque

Al Jazeera reported that the ATF first described the incident as a "reported shooting incident at a mosque in the 2200 block of Albert Ave". Local police later gave a different account, saying the shooting took place near the mosque and that the building was not the target.

"We want to make it clear this was not an attack on the mosque," Sergeant James Fuqua said, according to the Associated Press, as cited by Al Jazeera.

Victims

Local media, citing police, reported that one person was pronounced dead just after 2:00 p.m. local time (1800 GMT). Arab News, citing the same local reports, said a second victim was found. Police did not disclose that person's condition, according to those reports.

Neither Al Jazeera nor Arab News named the victims. They did not give their ages or say whether either had any connection to the mosque.

What is not yet known

The sources reviewed do not say what led to the shooting or who was responsible. They do not say whether anyone has been arrested or whether a suspect is being sought. They also give no details on the number of shots fired or the exact location of the incident in relation to the mosque.

The reports do not say why federal agents were involved. The ATF has not said whether it is leading the investigation or assisting local police. Arab News described federal agents as investigating the incident, but it did not cite an agency statement for that wording.

The death toll comes only from local media citing police. It had not been confirmed in a statement quoted by either outlet. Al Jazeera described its report as a breaking news story, and details may change as authorities release more information.

Background

The early reports differ on how they describe the location. The ATF's first message referred to a shooting "at a mosque" on Albert Avenue. Police later said the shooting happened near the mosque and was not an attack on it.

Al Jazeera and Arab News both published their reports on Monday, 19 October 2026. Al Jazeera's report was posted at 19:50 GMT and Arab News's at 20:16 GMT. Both relied on statements from the ATF and on local media accounts citing police.

Columbus police have not yet published a full account in the material reviewed. The ATF said it would release more information when it becomes available.