Good Day Readers, Today a disheartening news has come stating that a Sikh man in New York died after being assaulted following a minor car accident. Stay with this article to find out more about this news.
In New York, a Sikh individual has become the victim of a second attack within a week. Mayor Eric Adams of New York City has strongly condemned the incident and pledged to ensure the safety of the community. Following a minor car accident, a 66-year-old Sikh man passed away due to head injuries sustained during an assault. This incident marks the second attack against a Sikh individual in New York within a week.
After their vehicles collided in Queens last Thursday, 30-year-old Gilbert Augustin assaulted Jasmer Singh. Mayor Eric Adams of New York City expressed strong condemnation of the incident and made a commitment to safeguard the community. In a statement on X, he stated, “Jasmer Singh cherished his city, and his tragic passing was a profound loss. On behalf of all New Yorkers, I want to assure our Sikh community that you have more than our sympathies. We wholeheartedly denounce the hatred that claimed this innocent life and pledge to protect you.” He also mentioned that his team would be holding discussions with Sikh leaders this week to address the needs of this vital community during this challenging time.
Sikh Man Assaulted After Minor Car Accident
Within a span of about a week, there were two tragic incidents involving Sikh individuals in the area. The first incident occurred last week when a 19-year-old Sikh boy was assaulted while riding the bus to a gurdwara in Richmond Hill. Christopher Philippeaux, 26, punched the teenager in the back of the head, attempted to remove his turban, and made derogatory comments, saying, “We don’t wear that in this country.” Philippeaux was arraigned in Queens Criminal Court and faced charges of third-degree assault as a hate crime and second-degree aggravated harassment, as stated by Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz. In a separate report by the New York Daily News, it was mentioned that the NYPD’s 102 Precinct charged Augustin with manslaughter and assault.
Following his arraignment in Queens on Saturday, Augustin was held without bail, according to the report. As per the report, the NYPD’s Hate Crime Task Force has not initiated an investigation into the incident, as they believe it resulted from a car collision. According to information from the New York Daily News, Jasmer Singh and Augustin were involved in a car collision on Thursday, which resulted in both vehicles sustaining dents and scratches. When Singh attempted to call 911, an individual allegedly intervened, saying, “No police, no police,” and confiscated his phone. The report further states that Singh left his car and followed Augustin in an attempt to retrieve his phone. An argument ensued between the two men, and after Singh managed to reclaim his phone from Augustin, the latter struck him three times in the head and face. According to the report, Singh fell to the ground, hitting his head. Subsequently, Augustin fled the scene.
Singh was rushed to a nearby hospital in critical condition, and unfortunately, he succumbed to a severe brain injury. In Richmond Hill, often referred to as the “Sikh Capital of the USA,” the community is described as a harmonious mix of Sikhs, Christians, Hindus, Muslims, and Jews residing together, sometimes on the same block. The statement emphasizes that when a crime affects any of these groups, it is considered an offense against the entire community, prompting a united response. Furthermore, it highlights the Sikhs’ role as protectors due to their faith’s principle of seva, which means selfless service. Their religion teaches the belief in the divinity of individuals from any faith and an obligation to safeguard the well-being of all humanity.
As the first Punjabi American ever elected to the New York State Office, the speaker pledges an unwavering commitment to champion the freedom and dignity of Sikh Americans and people of all faiths. This commitment includes collaborating with Mayor Adams, Police Commissioner Edward Caban, and all relevant stakeholders to provide the necessary resources for the Sikh community to lead a peaceful and secure life.
