53-year-old Darryl Doles was sentenced to life in prison with all but 30 years suspended for attacking three separate Asian American liquor stores in Baltimore, MD.
He pleaded guilty to two counts of attempted first-degree murder, on top of hate and assault charges for the violent crime. At least one surveillance camera captured him attacking a security guard with a piece of lumber and pummeling a cinder block at two Korean sisters.
According to court documents, Doles smashed a lottery machine after being denied entry into the Asian American owned Linden Discount Liquors for refusing to wear a face mask. He left but returned with a piece of lumber that he used to hit the security guard before the store owner intervened.
He then went into two other Asian American owned liquor stores, 40/40 Liquors and Wonderland Liquors about half a mile away, where he “went on a rampage,” kicking down wine bottles and display windows before shouting “F— Chinese!” the documents outlined.
Doles entered Wonderland Liquors as the Korean American sisters were preparing to close. He returned with a cinder block and struck the woman three times after shoving her to the ground. He proceeded to strike the sister in the head as the other rushed out to get help, until they eventually pushed him out.
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The Baltimore Sun reported that the sisters were left bruised and bleeding from their faces, leaving them with headaches and dizziness following the attack.
According to the Baltimore Banner, Doles wept in the court as he was sentenced, repeatedly apologizing and said he’s been dealing with substance use disorder since he was 17.
“I accept responsibility for what I did,” Doles said. “But that’s not me.”
Circuit Judge Jeannie J. Hong played the surveillance video of the attack in court, expressing that they were horrific. “They are lucky they are still alive,” the Baltimore Banner reported Hong saying. “We could be here for a murder conviction.”
Assistant State’s Attorney Cynthia Banks called the incident a racial and ethnic attack, expressing that she found it “absolutely appalling” that a man is blaming the COVID-19 pandemic on an entire group of people.
Banks read a statement on behalf of one of the victims. “He blamed innocent people,” she read, “He attacked innocent people.”
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