A 39-year-old Colorado man, Patrick Thomas Egan, has been arrested and charged with bias-motivated crimes after allegedly attacking a TV reporter of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) descent. The incident occurred on December 18 in Grand Junction, Colorado, when Egan reportedly stalked and assaulted KKCO/KJCT reporter Ja’Ronn Alex.
According to police, Egan followed Alex’s vehicle for approximately 40 miles before confronting him outside the television station. Witnesses reported that Egan tackled and choked Alex, shouting “This is Trump’s America now!” and demanding to know if Alex was a U.S. citizen. Several bystanders intervened, restraining Egan until officers arrived.
The arrest affidavit obtained by the Associated Press revealed that Egan, a self-proclaimed Marine, had pulled up next to Alex at a stoplight and made the inflammatory comments. Egan was taken into custody and charged with bias-motivated crimes, second-degree assault, and harassment. He is currently being held at the Mesa County Detention Facility.
Alex, a native of Detroit, told police that he believed he was targeted because of his Pacific Islander heritage. The incident has sparked concerns about hate crimes and racism in the community.
Egan’s lawyer, Ruth Swift, did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Axios.