Muslim Cemetery shooting not racially motivated, police say

RCMP say a shooting incident at theMuslim Cemetery near Cochrane, Alta., that sent four adult men to hospital Friday afternoonwas the result of an altercation following afuneral and not racially motivated.

"It looks as though all the parties involved were at this funeral. And at this point we are not exactly sure what the relationship is between the shooters and the victims," saidCpl.Sharon Franks.

"They were there to mourn a friend and family member,"she said."This is one of those things that is hard to understand."

Franks said police are treating the investigation as targeted, not random or a racially motivated attack.

Four men were transported to Calgary hospitals following the shooting, which happened at about 3:35 p.m. MT.

All were taken by drivers from the funeral, not by ambulance. One was initially taken to the Alberta Children's Hospital, but due to his age was transferred to Foothills Hospital with the other three.

There was initial confusion over the number of victims police reported.

The cemetery manager saidthe funeralwas for a 21-year-old man who died of a heart attack.

"You don't know what to do, you don't know what to think," Zouheir Osman said.

There was a large police presence at the cemetery andseveral officers at the entrance of Foothills Hospitallate Friday.

Police saidthere is no risk to the public, but are urging any witnesses to contact the Cochrane RCMP.

Cochrane is just northwest of the Calgary city limits.