Muslim civil rights group asks that bail be denied to alleged shooter, seeks hate crime enhancements
(CLEVELAND, OHIO, 12/1/16) – The Cleveland chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Cleveland) today called on local, state and federal law enforcement authorities to investigate a possible bias motive for the November 26 shooting of a Muslim teenager and to seek all relevant hate crime enhancements under Ohio statutes. CAIR is also asking that the alleged perpetrator be denied bail.
The 16-year-old Lakewood High School student, who was wearing an Islamic head covering called a “kufi” at the time of the alleged attack, says he was walking home from his part-time job when he was shot by an armed man who then fled the scene. According to the Muslim teenager, the alleged perpetrator called him a “terrorist” and “Taliban b*ch” before the shooting. The victim was struck in the shoulder and was left bleeding at the scene. (Cuyahoga County Case Number: CR-16-611940-A)
SEE: Lakewood Man Arrested for Shooting 16-Year-Old