The Justice Department announced the sentencing of Jose Gomez III to 25 years in state prison on hate crime charges for the stabbing of a father and his two children.
Prosecutors contend Gomez stabbed the family in Midland, TX because he thought they were Chinese which he blamed for COVID-19 in 2020.
They were actually Burmese Americans.
Gomez slashed the father in the face after following him in a Sam’s Club, using a streak knife he found in the store as his weapon. He then went to retrieve an eight-inch knife off a store shelf and used it on the victim’s two children, then ages two and six.
The blade pierced the older child’s right eye. He also stabbed a White Sam’s Club employee who intervened to stop him. Bystanders held him to the ground as he screamed to the Asian family “Get out of America.”
As AsAmNews reported in February, he pleaded guilty to three hate crime charges.
“Pandemic-driven and racially-motivated acts of violence are deplorable crimes, and the Justice Department stands ready to use our hate crimes laws to hold perpetrators accountable,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke for the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division in a statement sent to AsAmNews.“Hate crimes targeting Asian Americans have spiked during the pandemic and must be confronted. All people deserve to feel safe and secure living in their communities, regardless of race, color or national origin.”
One FBI special agent called Gomez a coward.
“Mr. Gomez’s cowardly and racially motivated actions do not represent our West Texas community,” said Special Agent in Charge Jeffery R. Downey of the FBI El Paso Field Office. “It is our hope today’s sentence will help the victims with the healing process.”
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The justice department or some legal prosecuting entity should bring charges against T-rump for starting the hateful speech blaming China and therefore in this country the Chinese and whoever is similar looking for the pandemic. His violent and mocking tones have caused such damage and death. He needs to be made accountable for his hate, prejudices and violent speech that has caused havoc and death in this country.