MATAMORAS, PA — On Sunday, February 22, shots were fired into the Pike County Islamic Center in Matamoras. According to the Eastern Pike Regional Police Department, the incident took place in the early morning hours when the building was unoccupied, and no injuries were reported.

Local and state officials condemned the act, called for an investigation into its circumstances and expressed support for the center.

The Philadelphia chapter of Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), an Islamic civil liberties group, announced a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the individual(s) responsible for the shooting, and called for a hate crime investigation into the act.

“This act of violence targeting a house of worship is deeply disturbing and unacceptable, said Ahmet Tekelioglu, executive director of CAIR-Philadelphia. “Mosques, like all houses of worship, are sacred spaces meant for peace, prayer and community. We urge local, state and federal law enforcement authorities to conduct a thorough investigation and determine whether this attack was motivated by hate. We are grateful for the swift outreach and responsiveness of local and state police, and we stand ready to assist in any way necessary.”

PA Gov. Josh Shapiro visited the center on February 25, meeting and speaking with members of the community.

“The holy month of Ramadan is a time of reflection, community and light,” said Shapiro in a statement following his visit. “As I met with local leaders and worshippers for Iftar tonight, I saw that light firsthand, despite the darkness they experienced just three days ago.”

Anyone with information related to this incident is urged to contact the Eastern Pike Regional Police Department at 570/491-4040 or via email at cadams@eprpd.org.