Suspect arrested, authorities investigating potential hate crime.
American Bazaar Staff
WASHINGTON, DC: In a brutal attack, which authorities are probing as a potential hate crime, an 82-year-old Sikh man was severely beaten with an iron bar, outside of Gurdwara Nanaksar Sahib in Fresno, California, on May 5th.
According to local media reports, Singh sustained head injuries, broken bones and ribs, and a collapsed lung, and remains hospitalized in a serious condition. The suspect, who is described in his late 20s or early 30s, was apprehended at the scene of the crime and is in custody.
The local Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Fresno Police Department will thoroughly investigate the attack and are convening a community meeting today at Gurdwara Nanaksar Sahib to provide an update on the incident, said the Sikh Coalition in a press release.
The Fresno Bee reported that the attack happened just after 7 a.m. at the temple in the 3000 block of South Cherry Avenue as the victim was walking down. The attacker came on a bicycle, and without any provocation or altercation beat Singh in the head and body with an iron rod.
Temple officials say the attack was not a robbery and Singh had never seen the man before, reported the Bee.
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