Police in Kent, Washington have released a sketch of a suspect in the shooting of a Sikh man in his driveway.
The victim says the man shouted “go back to your own country” before shooting him.
He is one of four South Asians who have been shot in the past month and who prompted dozens of people to rally on the steps of the nation’s capitol Friday against hate crimes.
Among those attending the rally sponsored by South Asian Americans Leading Together were four congressional representatives, reported the American Bazaar.
“This is a very important moment,” said Rep Pramila Jayapal (D-WA). “I have tremendous sympathy and condolences for the families across the country who are dealing with hate crimes and who are literally suffering at home, sometimes in silence, unsure of whether they can go out or not.”
A report from SAALT released this year found more than 215 incidents against South Asian, Muslim, Sikh, Hindu, Arab, and Middle Eastern Americans in 2016.
“At a time when South Asian, Sikh, Muslim, Hindu, and Arab community members are facing hate violence and harassment on nearly a daily basis, we need real leadership from Washington to stem the tide of injustice,” said the executive director of SAALT, Suman Raghunathan.
The FBI has joined the investigation of the shooting in Kent, Washington.
“We need the public’s assistance to help us solve this crime,” said Kent Police Chief Ken Thomas.
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