An 81-year old Sikh man nearly beaten to death in a suspected hate crime in Fresno is speaking about his ordeal for the first time.
Piara Singh (pictured here) told KFSN the attack came out of no where without any warning.
“He did not say a single thing, I did not say anything,” said Singh. He added, “I was losing conscious as he was hitting me. I did not say anything.” I was drenched in blood; he started attacking me hitting me on the shoulders.”
Singh volunteers regularly at the Nanaksar Sikh Temple. The attack took place after he had finished helping to wash dishes that morning. Police say Singh left the temple to go on a morning walk when 29 year-old Gilbert Garcia attacked him with a metal rod, breaking his ribs and puncturing his lungs.
Singh is now home, but remains in pain with two dozen stitches to his head.
“He kept on hitting me, he kept on hitting me a lot, I have no count,” said Singh.
He is talking now to increase understanding about his faith and help stop future acts of violence.
“You have good people and you have bad people, this person was not a good person when he attacked me but there are very wonderful people who are out there too.”
Garcia faces attempted murder and elder abuse charges. No hate crime charges have been filed.
