Hate crime charge added against man who attacked Sikh-american store owner
COLORADO INCIDENT the Sikh Coalition said it has been informed that the Jefferson County district attorney’s office has decided to add a hate crime charge against Eric Breemen, who will now be charged with multiple counts -- now including a bias-motivated crime -- in the violent April 29 assault on Lakhwant Singh.
Singh said he is very grateful to “everyone -- Sikhs and nonsikhs alike” who stood with him and his family in this incredibly difficult time and appreciates the Jefferson County authorities for hearing his story and, “through these charges, recognising the role that hate played in my horrible attack”.
Singh was brutally attacked at the store he owns with his wife in April when Breemen entered the shop and began harassing the couple, the Sikh Coalition had said. Breemen damaged numerous items and repeatedly told the couple to “go back to your country”. When Breemen left the store, Singh followed him outside to take a photo of his license plate so that he could report the abuse but he struck Singh with his vehicle, throwing him several feet across the parking lot, causing multiple injuries.
Following his arrest, Breemen had told police that he had attacked an “Arab” man.the Sikh Coalition had called for authorities to bring formal hate crime charges against the assailant.