Sikh Man's Tragic Death In New York
Jasmer Singh, a Sikh man, tragically lost his life in New York after an assault following a car collision last week. The incident occurred when Mr. Singh’s vehicle collided with a car driven by Gilbert Augustin, resulting in damage to both vehicles. As Mr. Singh attempted to call 911, an individual at the scene reportedly confiscated his phone, stating, “No police, no police.”
A confrontation ensued between the two men, and after Mr. Singh retrieved his phone from Augustin, he was punched three times in the head and face. This assault caused Mr. Singh to fall to the ground, where he struck his head. He was rushed to a local hospital in critical condition and succumbed to a brain injury.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams strongly condemned the incident and expressed his commitment to protecting the Sikh community. He said, “Jasmer Singh loved his city and deserved so much more than his tragic death. 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.” Mayor Adams also announced plans to meet with Sikh leaders to address the needs of the community during this challenging time.
The 30-year-old assailant responsible for the attack has been apprehended and is facing charges of manslaughter and assault.
Unfortunately, this incident is the second assault against a Sikh individual in New York in just a week. In the previous incident, a Sikh teenager was assaulted on a bus, with the perpetrator attempting to remove the teen’s turban while making derogatory comments. The assailant in this case has been charged with assault in the third degree as a hate crime and aggravated harassment in the second degree.
