Ford Bronco driver accused of repeatedly attempting to hit members of LGBTQ operating membership in Florida | EUROtoday

A person has been arrested after allegedly attempting to run down members of an LGBTQ operating group in a Ford Bronco, in a possible hate crime.

Ihab Mustafa El Mahmoud is accused of constructing a number of makes an attempt to hit the Night Runners WPB group simply earlier than 8.20 p.m. Monday, earlier than fleeing the scene in West Palm Beach, Florida.

According to a West Palm Beach Police Department assertion, El Mahmoud had change into enraged after a verbal altercation with one of many 40 members of the group.

Rudolph Galindo, one of many members of the operating group, instructed OutSFL the incident left him feeling “terrified.”

“I realized before everybody else what was happening,” he stated, including that the automobile got here inside two toes of hitting him. “And so I jumped out of the way.”

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Galindo claimed that he was the one that had spoken to El Mahmoud shortly earlier than the assault, asking him whether or not the 43-year-old was a part of the operating group.

“Upon arrival, officers met with members of a local LGBTQIA+ running club who reported an individual driving a Ford Bronco SUV had intentionally attempted to strike members of the group with his vehicle,” the police assertion stated.

“According to witnesses, the driver accelerated toward the runners, making a second attempt to strike them, he then drove recklessly along sidewalks, through grass, and up an embankment before fleeing eastbound onto Okeechobee Boulevard.

“A subject matching the suspect’s description was seen pulling into a parking garage along the 700 block of North Dixie Highway and removing the vehicle’s license plate.”

Cops stated the suspect was taken into custody on the storage with out incident.

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El Mahmoud has been charged with two counts of aggravated assault with intent to commit a felony and one depend of reckless driving. Investigators are reviewing the costs for enhancement as a possible hate crimes.

Roger Jackson, the president of Night Runners WPB, instructed OutSFL that the group will proceed to satisfy, regardless of the assault.

“Safety, Safety, Safety is what we always say at Night Runners WPB,” he stated. “That will continue to be our priority as we show our pride and keep running and walking as a community in a city we love.”

Galindo added that the group has been working to help one another so runners can really feel secure as soon as once more.

“It was heartwarming to see the group really come together and care about each other,” he added.