Bullets Fired at Suburban Mosque During Prayer Service

Police are trying to discern whether someone shot at a suburban Chicago mosque following reports of gunshots ringing out during Tuesday's morning prayer services.

Worshipers praying inside the Orland Park Prayer Center at 16530 104th Ave. heard a loud bang and noticed debris on the floor under the gold dome just after 6 a.m.

Police arrived and noticed two small holes in the ceiling that they assume are bullet holes, although they aren't 100 percent sure because bullets have not been found. The roof is too high for investigators to inspect it closely.

Police have not classified the incident a hate crime because they're unaware of the intent. The mosque is located near a wooded area, and police believe incident could also have been errant gunfire from a hunter.

Police patrols have been increased in the area.

Around 30 people were inside the mosque when it happened. The congregation continued to hold prayer services Tuesday evening.

The Chicago office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Chicago) is calling for an FBI hate crime investigation into the incident.

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