The death of Prince George's County Police Cpl. Mujahid Ramzziddin should be a “wake-up call to the community,” Imam Talib Shareef said.
"First of all, we've got to do something to stop it. And we got to do more than just listen,” said Shareef.
Cpl. Ramzziddin was shot and killed Wednesday in Brandywine, Md. while protecting a neighbor who came to him for help. It was his day off. The woman was involved in a domestic situation.
The religious leader said the community needs to do more on who domestic violence victims are warning us about.
Thursday, Shareef and a member of the Mosque sat side-by-side as the religious leader addressed gun safety, mental health and domestic violence in the wake of his good friend's murder.
Cpl. Ramzziddin was a long-time member of the mosque and a leader in the Boy Scouts and the mosque's security detail.
Long-time friend and fellow Mosque member, Mahdee Abdul-Quawwee told WUSA9 Cpl. Ramzziddin was very strong in his faith and led a life of servitude.
He gave an example of a story the corporal once told Abdul-Quawwee, where he ended up helping a young man Ramzziddin had arrested.
"During the process and in the station, they got to talking. So, he found out this kid that he just locked up was just being emotional, was a kid -- had a great future. He had scholarships promised to him and you know, he was an athlete," Abdul-Quawwee recalled. "So, what Mujahid did was to defend him and then go to court with him to keep from losing his scholarships."
"He was always a positive model or example. Even, you know, at times when I'm not feeling good. He was around, his energy just brings you up. You couldn't have a sad moment around Mujahid. He was always upbeat,” he added.
Shareef said Ramzziddin died doing what he had done many times--saving a life.
“That goes to his soul’s credit, and I’m saying he can rest in peace upon that," the Imam said.
Shareef told WUSA9 their faith tells them, his soul is at peace. Still, the corporal's friends are frustrated because the man who took his life, was no stranger to violence.
Court records revealed the suspected gunman, Glenn Tyndell, was named in multiple domestic violence cases that led to at least four protective orders filed against him, just in Maryland alone. Tyndell was also charged with trespassing on private property, failure to pay child support and also had multiple liens against him because of money he owed.
"We should be working better together to make sure that we're healthy human beings,” said Imam Shareef.
While he can’t change policy, the Imam did offer some advice that could help make change right now.
“Some people don't know how to calm down... and there are steps that you can do to begin to calm yourself now. You know if you're standing, sit. If you're sitting, lie, it calms the body and then now you can come back and think and do things a lot differently,” he said.
Funeral services are planned for Friday afternoon at the Diyanet Center of America due to the large number of people planning to pay their respects to the Maryland hero.
