Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox released a report Thursday, September 30 stating that the FBI agents responsible for the death of Imam Luqman Ameen Abdullah were justified in their actions and that no laws were broken.

The report refers to an investigation into the October 28, 2009 shooting of Abdullah which took place at a warehouse in east Dearborn. According to the reports, the FBI fired 20 bullets at Abdullah, killing him. Although the report was to address concerns made by civil rights groups and religious organizations, many still have concerns.

“There are a lot of questions still surrounding the raid at the warehouse and the mosque later that night,” said Lena Masri, Staff Attorney at CAIR Michigan. “There are a lot of discrepancies in the report, and we are still pushing for an investigation by the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division.”

The report does state that Abdullah fired first “in the direction of the officers,” but only after they released a dog which bit Abdullah on his upper body.

“Abdullah fired three times at the dog,” states the report. “Four FBI agents returned fire, for a total of 20 rounds, each striking Abdullah.” The agents report that they acted in self defense, when Abdullah shot the dog that bit him.

The report also left questions regarding the number of officers used to arrest Abdullah and those with him. The Attorney General’s report state that there were 66 agents, including SWAT, counterterrorism and Hostage Rescue teams, involved in the raid, 29 of which were stationed inside the warehouse.

“There are a number of allegations made in the indictment, but there were no charges of terrorism or treason. The indictment charged with conspiracy to buy and sell stolen goods,” said Masri. According to the report, Abdullah was charged with conspiracy to buy and sell stolen goods, mail fraud, and possession of firearms and body armor.

Some question the use of 66 agents for such crimes.

“We know there was a multi-jurisdictional taskforce. We also know there was a hostage rescue team which bought canines that were used. There were diversion devices like flash grenades. We know that the canines were released. We know from the report, the Imam fired three bullets at the dogs, after they mauled him,” Masri said. “All that looks like a clear excessive use of force.” 

CAIR is still pushing for an investigation by the Department of Justice, and the Michigan chapter filed a lawsuit on Wednesday against the Wayne Country Sheriff’s Department for not releasing information to them relating to the death of Abdullah.

“It’s critical that the Department of Justice conducts a full, thorough investigation,” said Masri.