ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – Shaheen Syed, the son of the man charged with shooting and killing three Muslim men in Albuquerque, is expected to be released from federal custody. In August, the U.S. Attorney’s Office charged Shaheen Syed with lying on the ATF form used to purchase two firearms in June of 2021.
A motion was then filed to keep Shaheen in federal custody while awaiting trial, calling him a “flight risk and a danger to the community.” The prosecution pointed to Shaheen’s criminal history, including a battery charge he faces against his dad Muhammad syed. At the time, the judge ordered he be detained, charges were issued against Shaheen for that February incident, but he was never formally charged.
Shaheen’s attorney’s then filed a motion opposing the detention, arguing he wasn’t charged on previous crimes or the Albuquerque murders. Court records show the feds also believe Shaheen Syed helped his dad murder two of the three Muslim men this summer. Investigators say they have video of Shaheen and his father walking into a firearms store with an AK-47 and getting a scope on it. Six hours later authorities believe that rifle was used in the murder of Muhammed Afzaal and that cell phone towers show Shaheen’s phone was near the scene of the murder of Naeem Hussain. They also believe Shaheen called his dad around the same time Hussain died.
On Friday, the judge issued an order agreeing with the defense, saying, “Although the Court finds the evidence the United States presented at the detention hearing very troubling, the lack of charges associated with most of the conduct the United States relies on gives the Court pause.” The judge also said Shaheen does appear to be a danger to his sister and mother based on previous behavior.
Due to that, the judge ordered Shaheen to be released from federal custody, but he must be placed in a halfway house while awaiting trial. Another hearing is expected to be scheduled to determine other conditions of his release. The District Attorney’s Office said as of now; there are no murder charges from their office against Shaheen Syed. The guns Shaheen previously bought in the charge have nothing to do with the Muslim murders this summer.
We asked APD if they plan to issue murder charges against Shaheen. We’re told the investigation is ongoing. Bernalillo County DA’s office confirmed, saying there are no charges pending at this time.
