NYPD officer charged in anti-Muslim attack
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Riggs Kwong is charged with a hate crime after he punched a motorist "until he lost consciousness" while using anti-Muslim slurs.
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NYPD officer Riggs Kwong yelled: "Terrorist! Al Qaeda! Mohammed! ISIS!” to the driver in the incident (NYPost)
Authorities charged a New York City police officer with a hate crime after he reportedly pummeled a driver "until he lost consciousness" while shouting anti-Muslim remarks in an off-duty incident.
Riggs Kwong, 50, was arraigned on an indictment charging him with assault as a hate crime, menacing as a hate crime, and aggravated harassment, Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez stated on Monday.
The allegations stem from a violent traffic dispute that occurred on the morning of January 16 in Brooklyn's Kensington area.
The DA's office stated that Kwong allegedly stopped the car of the 32-year-old male. The victim reportedly followed Kwong's car, a Honda Accord, to a crossroads before cutting the officer off.
Kwong filmed himself saying, "I’m trying to make a left here on the service road and this terrorist is terrorizing me, you’re upset because I didn’t let you make a U-turn, Mr. Mohammed … Al Qaeda, Terrorist, ISIS …”
Kwong continued to yell slurs at the victim as he photographed the police officer's vehicle and license plate. Before the victim returned to his car, he smacked the hood of Kwong's car, leading Kwong to spit in the man's face.
According to police, the officer assaulted the victim while continuing to shout anti-Muslim slurs.
According to the DA's office, the victim was hit hard enough to fall to the ground and lose consciousness during the assault.
