A North Carolina decorated Army reserve officer not only left bacon at a mosque, but also whipped out a handgun and threatened members preparing to worship for Ramadan, Islam's holy month, say authorities Friday.
Russell Thomas Langford of Fayetteville was at the Masjid Al Madina about 20 miles southwest of Fayetteville.
"He told people at the mosque that he would kill them and bury them behind the mosque," said Capt. John Kivett of the Sheriff's Office. "He brandished a weapon while he was on the property."
Muslims are not permitted to eat pork products. During Ramadan, Islam's holy month, they do not eat or drink during the day.
Hoke County Sheriff's Office explained that a Chevy Tahoe was in the parking lot, and its driver, later identified as Russell Thomas Langford, followed a member.
He came back in the evening and whipped out a gun to threaten a member, who wanted to talk to him and invited him inside. But the man left, according to the report. He returned in his SUV and made an effort to drive over some of the people who were entering the mosque to offer their Ramadan prayers.
Farhae Chouehry, one of the worhippers at the mosque admitted that the events were "absolutely frightening because you were in your worship place with people eating and praying and someone pulls a gun out."
Later, investigators found firearms, ammunition and other weapons in his car.
He has been charged with "ethnic intimidation, assault with a deadly weapon, going armed to the terror of the public, communicating threats, stalking and disorderly conduct," reported the sheriff's office.
Langford's mugshot shows him close-cropped, wearing a green shirt with a military-style rifle on it. He has a tattoo that looks like the US flag on his right forearm.
"We have called for stepped-up police presence not only for that mosque but others in that state," said Ibrahim Hooper, a spokesman for the Council on American-Islamic Relations, a Muslim advocacy group.
"Every mosque all over the country has nightly Ramadan activities, so they're vulnerable," he added.
Langford came to court Friday, posted a $60,000 secured bond and was released, Kivett explained. He has been placed under supervision of his commander on base at Fort Bragg.
Army Reserve spokesman clarified that his actions are "totally contradictory to Army values."
