Good Samaritan shot in the hand at mosque in west Harris Co. while trying to help a homeless man

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- A Houston man who was shot while attending Saturday evening prayers says he would not change a thing after he was allegedly hurt by a man he was trying to help last month.

The shooting happened at the Masjid Hamza Mission in the 6200 block of Tres Lagunas in west Harris County on May 23, according to the Harris County Sheriff's Office.

According to prosecutors, 37-year-old Hamzah Sheikh became angry after being asked to leave the mosque property and allegedly opened fire on several men who had been providing him with food, shelter, and other assistance for months.

Sheikh appeared before a judge on Monday and is currently facing four active criminal charges.

Members of the mosque said Sheikh had been receiving support from members for several months, including access to showers, Wi-Fi, meals, and occasionally a place to stay on the property.

Prosecutors said following evening prayers on May 23, mosque leaders said they had received complaints from children who felt uncomfortable around Sheikh and decided to ask him to leave the premises.

Hassan Al Masri, one of the men involved in the confrontation, said several mosque members approached Sheikh and told him he would need to leave for the night but could return another day.

"He said, 'What do you want me to do? I said, 'You have to leave, if you don't leave, I'm going to call the police. He said, 'Give me two minutes,'" Al Masri recalled.

Al Masri said he was speaking with a dispatcher when a bullet struck the phone in his hand. He was also wounded during the shooting. He said he heard three shots.

Despite the incident, Al Masri said he does not regret helping Sheikh.

"No, no," Al Masri said. "I'm Muslim. We do the best we can to assist others. It doesn't matter who you are or where you come from. I would do it over and over again. I will do the best I can to assist others."

Al Masri is continuing to recover from his injuries. He said he hopes Sheikh remains in jail and never returns to the mosque.