(SACRAMENTO, CA, 8/7/2023) – The Sacramento Valley/Central California office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-SV/CC), a chapter of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today called on federal law enforcement authorities to bring hate crime charges against a man who allegedly tried to murder members of the Muslim community.
That suspect, identified as 33-year-old Robert Avery, was taken into custody this morning following an alleged vehicular attack Sunday at Heron Landing Park in the City of Rancho Cordova, Calif. Avery reportedly tried to run over Muslim community members of South Asian heritage while yelling racial slurs and allegedly threatening to “shoot and bomb” them. [NOTE: Initial police reports stated that those attacked were of “Middle Eastern descent.”]
Video: Aftermath of Vehicular Attack on Muslim Families in California
No one was injured in the incident. Avery was sought for assault with a deadly weapon, criminal threats and a hate crime charge.
SEE: Man arrested after trying to run over Rancho Cordova parkgoers in suspected hate crime
Man taken into custody for making threats at Sacramento County park, sheriff’s office says
https://www.kcra.com/article/rancho-cordova-man-makes-threats-tries-running-over-people/44746083
Man accused of trying to run over people at Rancho Cordova park, threatening to kill them
Search on for suspect in possible racially-motivated incident at Rancho Cordova park
[NOTE: Anyone with information about the incident is being asked to contact the Sheriff’s Office at (916) 874-5115 or Sacramento Valley Crime Stoppers at (916) 443-HELP (4357).]
“We thank local law enforcement authorities for their swift action in taking the suspect into custody and urge federal authorities to consider bringing hate crime charges for this apparently bias-motivated attack on members of a minority community,” said CAIR-SV/CC Senior Civil Rights Attorney Layli Shirani.
She also thanked City Council Member Siri Pulipati who went to the scene of the alleged attack to support those reportedly targeted by the suspect.
CAIR-SV/CC is an office of Washington, D.C., based CAIR, America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
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CONTACT: CAIR-SV/CCExecutive Director Basim Elkarra, 916-441-6269, belkarra@cair.com; CAIR-SV/CC Senior Civil Rights Attorney Layli Shirani, lshirani@cair.com, 415-518-8803