NYPD treating attack as hate crime.
AB Wire
The New York Police Department (NYPD) has confirmed that its Hate Crimes Task force is now investigating an attack by a man at the Jamaica Muslim Center.
The attacker, identified as Michael Voyard, 26, was high on K2 and cocaine, reported the New York Daily News. He ran into the Queens mosque last Tuesday and pummeled two worshipers in the middle of afternoon prayer service, before stripping naked when caught by police, officials said Wednesday.
Voyad struck a 46-year-old man in the head, then walloped a 69-year-old congregant, according to police. Witnesses called 911 and cops found Voyard outside the center. As police approached, he peeled off all of his clothes and ran off.
Cops caught up with him and took him to Queens Hospital Center for observation.
His younger victim suffered a bruise and some scratches, officials said. The older victim was taken to Jamaica Hospital but was not seriously hurt, said the Daily News.
Just before he burst into the Islamic house of worship, Voyard broke into a car parked nearby on 84th Ave., officials said. He ripped the rearview mirror off the car and damaged the windshield, according to police.
WPix-TV reported the attacker claimed that he was the Prophet Muhammad before randomly attacking worshippers, including Akim Islam.
“He came behind us, and he hit one of our elders,” Islam said. “When he hit someone, we have no choice. We have to stop him. He hit me. One is very bad injured. He’s at the hospital.”
In the days since the attack, members of this Mosque have been fuming over the fact the suspect – only faced a misdemeanor assault charge.
The president of the mosque has welcomed news that it could be turned into a hate crime.
“We are very peaceful community, we always come here without fear, and we never expect it,” mosque president Dr. Mohammad Rahman. “And we think this is a hate crime, to hurt Muslims.”
The incident clearly struck a nerve among members, who posted signs on the fence outside, pleading for tolerance and justice.
“The message is we have to live peacefully in harmony and peace,” Rahman said. “We cannot just hate somebody because of their race, religion or culture.”