A Colorado man allegedly attacked a TV news reporter who asked him if he was a citizen, saying things like, “This is Trump's America now,” court documents reveal. reported By Associated Press.
The Associated Press reported that the man, Patrick Thomas Egan, could face bias charges after his arrest on December 18 in Grand Junction, Colorado.
He was arrested on charges of bias crimes, second-degree assault and harassment, according to the Associated Press. Mr. Egan is scheduled to appear in court next week to see if he has been formally charged.
Police said Egan, 39, followed KKCO/KJCT reporter Jaron Alex's car and later told police he believed he was targeted because he is a Pacific Islander, The Associated Press reported. Reported.
After arriving in a taxi, Egan pulled up next to Alex at a stoplight, according to an arrest affidavit. As reported by the Associated Press, the affidavit also states that Egan said, “Are you an American citizen too? This is Trump's America now! I'm a Marine. “I swore to protect this country from people like you!''
According to the Associated Press, court documents said Alex left for the interview and then drove back to the newsroom. After Egan got out of his car, he allegedly chased Alex and demanded his identification, documents show, the Associated Press reported. The affidavit states that Egan tackled Alex and put him in a headlock, then “began choking” him, and co-workers jumped out to help.
According to the documents, witnesses said Alex appeared to be having trouble breathing during the attack, which was captured on surveillance video, the Associated Press reported.
The Hill has reached out to the KKCO newsroom for comment. Egan's attorney could not be reached for comment.
