Former Marine Charged with Shooting at Connecticut Mosque

A Meriden man was arrested by federal authorities after he allegedly fired several shots at the Baitul Aman Mosque in Meriden hours after the Paris terrorist attacks.

Ted Hakey Jr., 48, of Meriden was taken into custody Thursday and appeared before a U.S. magistrate judge Friday morning. He is being held for the time being and will have a detention hearing Dec. 21.

Hakey is a former U.S. Marine, according to an arrest warrant affidavit. He has five rifles ranging in caliber from .223 to .338 registered. His wife also has a rifle registered to her and a 9mm handgun. Any of the rifles could have been. been used, according to the affidavit.

Hakey lives next door to the mosque and fired several rounds using his high-powered rifle during the early morning hours of Nov. 14, according to the affidavit

No one was injured in the attack because the mosque was unoccupied at the time. Members of the mosque went to pray Nov. 15 and noticed dust on the floor. They also found a bullet and called police. Agents found another bullet upon further investigation.

“All citizens of this earth should be free to worship without fear of violence,” said U.S. Attorney Daly. “As Americans, we must not let fear drive us away from our values and toward hateful and divisive acts against others.

Hakey has been charged with intentionally damaging religious property through use of a dangerous weapon. It carries a maximum prison term of 20 years and a fine of up to $250,000.

Investigators determined that the bullets were fired from Hakey’s yard, which is a few hundred yards away. Law enforcement officers seized about 24 firearms, more than 1,000 rounds of ammunition, a bulletproof vest and several electronic devices from his home. Investigators also observed paraphernalia associated with the Hell’s Angels Motorcycle Club gang.

Investigators interviewed Hakey, who said he had about 10 drinks at a bar before going home the night of Nov. 13, according to the affidavit. He fired about 10 rounds from his 9mm handgun in his yard while aiming at a wood pile. He said he then fired about 10 rounds from his M14 rifle between the house and the mosque and then fired about another five rounds after waiting a couple of minutes.

Hakey claimed he didn’t intend to hit the mosque and that he didn’t know about the terrorist attacks before firing the weapon.

However, investigators found a Facebook message on Nov. 13 between Hakey and another individual about the Paris attacks. Around 1:30 coordinated universal time Hakey posted, “What is gonna be the breaking point to go “weapons free” against Islam,” according to the affidavit.

Investigators searched his mobile phone and other devices. A deleted message from July 17 believed to have been sent by Hakey said “I want to take the Jewzi! And unload on the Muslims! I’m in a target rich environment.”

They also found a picture on the phone of a bearded man with a rifle scope’s cross hairs superimposed that said “[expletive] Islam,” according to the affidavit.

Investigators also posts from Hakey’s Facebook account that said, “I hate Muslims,” “Coexist with Muslims, impossible,” “Kill all Muslims” and other messages claiming the only solution was to wipe Islam off the face of the earth.

A message between Hakey’s Facebook account and someone else that he has a mosque next door and that it’s been packed lately, according to the affidavit. He also said he observed the mosque with “binos” and that there were, “Way too many military aged males.”

In a subsequent interview Hakey said he did in fact learn about the terrorist attack before the shooting incident, but again said he harbored no animus toward the mosque or Muslims in general, according the affidavit. He said he if he wanted to shoot the mosque he would’ve used another rifle with a night vision scope.

“This arrest should serve as a clear message that crimes of hate against individuals of any race, creed, gender or religious background will not be tolerated,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Ferrick. “This is the result of FBI, ATF, Connecticut State Police and the Meriden Police Department working night and day to bring some degree of comfort to a community that has been victimized by fear and hate.”

Image via affidavit