Queens, New York City witnessed a heartbreaking incident as a 66-year-old Sikh man lost his life in a violent road rage confrontation, prompting his family to call for the authorities to treat it as a hate crime.
Jasmer Singh, accompanied by his wife, was returning from a medical appointment in Kew Gardens around noon last Thursday when a seemingly minor traffic accident turned into a fatal encounter, as recounted by law enforcement officials.
The other party involved in the collision, 30-year-old Gilbert Augustin, was apprehended the following day and faced a slew of charges, including manslaughter, assault, and aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, according to the police.
A witness at the scene reported hearing a male voice uttering “No police” and witnessed a man forcibly seizing Singh’s cellphone moments after their vehicles collided, details documented in a criminal complaint.
Following the collision, Singh stepped out of his vehicle to confront Augustin, resulting in a heated argument. While the victim was able to retrieve his phone, the altercation didn’t end there.
Upon returning to his Toyota, Augustin allegedly struck Singh three times in the head and face, inflicting severe injuries, including a brain injury, according to court documents. Singh’s son, identified as Mr. Multani by the media outlet WCBS, disclosed that the assault left his father with a fractured skull and the loss of two front teeth.
Mr. Multani has appealed to authorities to investigate potential hate crime charges against Augustin, citing the distinctive Sikh attire his father wore. He emphasized that there was no justifiable reason for the intensity of the attack, suggesting his father may have been targeted in a possible hate crime.
He described his father as an educated, noble, and simple person.
Singh’s wife was deeply traumatized by the incident that claimed her husband’s life, leaving her with a harrowing experience, Multani revealed.
Augustin, who fled the scene after the violent attack, was ordered to be held without bail by Judge Danielle Hartman at his arraignment, according to the prosecutors. He is scheduled to appear in Queens Criminal Court on Thursday.
Mayor Eric Adams extended his condolences to New York City’s Sikh community in a statement on Sunday, expressing his sorrow over Jasmer Singh’s untimely death.
“Jasmer Singh loved his city and deserved so much more than his tragic death,” Adams wrote in a statement, accompanied by a photograph of the deceased. “On behalf of all New Yorkers, I want our Sikh community to know you have more than our condolences. You have our sacred vow that we reject the hatred that took this innocent life and we will protect you.”
In response to the incident, Harjinder Singh Dhami, SGPC President, strongly condemned the assault and loss of Jasmer Singh’s life. Dhami demanded rigorous legal action against the accused, calling for charges of murder and hate crime. This incident marks the second assault on a Sikh individual in New York in a short time. Dhami highlighted the significant contributions of Sikhs to the regions where they settle and their prominent roles in various countries.
He lamented the unfortunate occurrence of hateful attacks against Sikhs who aspire to promote goodwill for all of humanity. Dhami called upon the Ministry of External Affairs of the Government of India to take necessary steps to ensure the safety of Sikhs abroad.
Harjinder Singh Dhami, SGPC President, shared this message through a tweet
