KENT, Wash. — Kent police and the FBI are asking the public’s help in identifying the suspect in the shooting of a Sikh man last Friday. Authorities have released a sketch of the suspect and are offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the “successful resolution of this assault case, with racially motivated actions.”
The 39-year-old victim told police he was working on his car in his driveway last Friday when he was approached by a masked man just before 8 p.m. They got into a brief argument before the gunman told him to “go back to your own country,” shot him in the arm and ran.
The victim was treated at a hospital and has since been released.
Authorities describe the suspect as a white male, 6 feet tall, with a medium build, dark hoodie, dark clothing, and a mask covering the lower part of his face. These were the only details the victim could share about his attacker.
A sketch artist worked with the victim and create a detailed sketch of the suspect. Investigators hope this will help the public identify the assailant.
“This is a very unusual circumstance for our community” noted Kent Police Commander Jarod Kasner, “We have not had a similar situation or reports of any similar incidents.”
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or the Kent Police tip line 253-856-5808. Callers to Crime Stoppers may remain anonymous and are eligible to receive an additional cash reward of $1,000 if the information leads to an arrest and charge of the person(s) involved.
The FBI’s Seattle Field Office, in conjunction with the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, has opened an investigation to determine if there is a federal civil rights violation.
Copyright 2017 KING
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