CAIR Welcomes Conviction of Killer in Afghan-American Teen Shooting

DID Press: Washington branch of the Council on American-Islamic Relations has welcomed the conviction of a security guard found guilty in the fatal shooting of Afghan-American teenager Hazrat Ali Rohani in Washington.

According to reports, 51-year-old Aaron Brown Myers was convicted of second-degree murder and second-degree assault in connection with the killing of the 17-year-old.

The incident occurred outside a “Big 5” sporting goods store in the city of Renton, near Seattle. Court documents state that Rohani and several friends had gone to the store to return airsoft guns when Myers, working as a security guard, opened fire.

Authorities said Myers fired seven shots at the teenager on June 5, 2024. One bullet struck Rohani in the abdomen, while six others hit him in the back. Reports indicate the shooting continued even after the teenager fell to the ground and called out for his mother.

Imran Siddiqui described the verdict as “a first step toward justice” for Rohani and his family, expressing hope that they would find peace and patience following the tragedy.

The case drew significant attention among Afghan-American and Muslim communities in the United States, with civil rights advocates calling for accountability and justice throughout the legal proceedings.