NEW DELHI: A 66-year-old Sikh man died from head injuries sustained after being assaulted following a car accident in New York. This incident marks the second attack against a Sikh individual in New York within a week.
Jasmer Singh was allegedly the victim of a brutal assault by 30-year-old Gilbert Augustin after their vehicles collided in Queens the previous Thursday.After the collision between Singh and Augustin’s vehicles, both cars sustained damage. As Singh attempted to call 911, a man prevented him, saying, ‘No police, no police,’ and took Singh’s phone. Subsequently, Singh pursued Augustin to retrieve his phone, leading to an argument.
While walking back to his car with his phone, Singh was punched thrice by Augustin in the head and face. Singh fell to the ground and suffered a head injury. Augustin fled the scene, and Singh was rushed to a local hospital in critical condition, where he succumbed to his brain injury.
According to the New York Daily News, Augustin was charged with manslaughter and assault, and he was held without bail following his arraignment in Queens on Saturday.
The news report also stated that Augustin had a suspended driver’s license and that his Alabama license plate did not match his New York registration.
Family of Singh wants hate crime charge against accused
Jasmer’s mourning family demanded for hate crime charges against the suspect in an interview with CBS New York.
Multani, Singh’s son, described him as an educated, noble, and simple person who had come to the United States from India to provide for his family. Multani firmly believed that his father’s appearance as a turbaned Sikh was the primary motive behind the brutality. “He was distinguished looking, with turban and all that. My father’s skull was broken. Two front teeth were gone,” said Multani.
Although investigators had apprehended the driver of the car, who was now facing multiple charges, including manslaughter and assault, these charges were not categorised as a hate crime.
“The guy was addressing my father with his costumes, with his turbans. There was no reason for someone to go in that intensity. My father was targeted, and it is a possible hate crime.”
In a heartfelt plea, Multani implored, “Consider the safety of the Sikh community, please, so that nobody would lose their father, brother, or son like I did.”
Mayor vows to protect the community
Earlier, a 19-year-old Sikh boy was assaulted on a bus in Richmond Hill while he was en route to a Gurudwara. Christopher Philippeaux, 26, punched the teenager, attempted to remove his turban, and uttered derogatory comments about his attire. Philippeaux was arraigned in Queens Criminal Court, facing charges of third-degree assault as a hate crime and second-degree aggravated harassment.
New York city mayor Eric Adams strongly denounced this incident and pledged to safeguard the Sikh community, saying, “Jasmer Singh loved his city and deserved so much more than his tragic death. On behalf of all New Yorkers, I want our Sikh community to know you have more than our condolences. You have our sacred vow that we reject the hatred that took this innocent life, and we will protect you.”
Mayor Adams further stated that his team would be in discussions with Sikh leaders to address the specific needs of the community during the challenging period.
Jasmer Singh was allegedly the victim of a brutal assault by 30-year-old Gilbert Augustin after their vehicles collided in Queens the previous Thursday.After the collision between Singh and Augustin’s vehicles, both cars sustained damage. As Singh attempted to call 911, a man prevented him, saying, ‘No police, no police,’ and took Singh’s phone. Subsequently, Singh pursued Augustin to retrieve his phone, leading to an argument.
While walking back to his car with his phone, Singh was punched thrice by Augustin in the head and face. Singh fell to the ground and suffered a head injury. Augustin fled the scene, and Singh was rushed to a local hospital in critical condition, where he succumbed to his brain injury.
According to the New York Daily News, Augustin was charged with manslaughter and assault, and he was held without bail following his arraignment in Queens on Saturday.
The news report also stated that Augustin had a suspended driver’s license and that his Alabama license plate did not match his New York registration.
Family of Singh wants hate crime charge against accused
Jasmer’s mourning family demanded for hate crime charges against the suspect in an interview with CBS New York.
Multani, Singh’s son, described him as an educated, noble, and simple person who had come to the United States from India to provide for his family. Multani firmly believed that his father’s appearance as a turbaned Sikh was the primary motive behind the brutality. “He was distinguished looking, with turban and all that. My father’s skull was broken. Two front teeth were gone,” said Multani.
Although investigators had apprehended the driver of the car, who was now facing multiple charges, including manslaughter and assault, these charges were not categorised as a hate crime.
“The guy was addressing my father with his costumes, with his turbans. There was no reason for someone to go in that intensity. My father was targeted, and it is a possible hate crime.”
In a heartfelt plea, Multani implored, “Consider the safety of the Sikh community, please, so that nobody would lose their father, brother, or son like I did.”
Mayor vows to protect the community
Earlier, a 19-year-old Sikh boy was assaulted on a bus in Richmond Hill while he was en route to a Gurudwara. Christopher Philippeaux, 26, punched the teenager, attempted to remove his turban, and uttered derogatory comments about his attire. Philippeaux was arraigned in Queens Criminal Court, facing charges of third-degree assault as a hate crime and second-degree aggravated harassment.
New York city mayor Eric Adams strongly denounced this incident and pledged to safeguard the Sikh community, saying, “Jasmer Singh loved his city and deserved so much more than his tragic death. On behalf of all New Yorkers, I want our Sikh community to know you have more than our condolences. You have our sacred vow that we reject the hatred that took this innocent life, and we will protect you.”
Mayor Adams further stated that his team would be in discussions with Sikh leaders to address the specific needs of the community during the challenging period.