indica News Bureau-
A New Jersey man has been arrested after he alleged rammed his SUV into a vehicle driven by a Muslim woman who the suspect had earlier yelled “You’re a terrorist” and “I’m going to kill you” at the victim and her 16 year-old-son, according to published reports.
The alleged April 21 attack began at a Carvel ice cream store where Michael Morrison, 55, of Nutley New Jersey, and the woman and her son were waiting for service, according to published reports citing police sources. The suspect yelled “You’re a terrorist,” “I’m going to kill you,” and “Go back to your country” at the pair.
After all three left the store, Morrison allegedly followed the woman and her son in his SUV and crashed twice into the driver’s side of the victim’s vehicle, according to reports. He allegedly attempted to hit the car a third time while the woman’s vehicle remained at a stop sign, according to published reports.
Morrison allegedly then fled the scene and later that evening was arrested at his home by Nutley Police.
The Essex County New Jersey Prosecutor’s Office last month charged Morrison with 2 counts of aggravated assault with deadly weapon (second degree crime), terroristic threats (third degree crime), bias Intimidation (first degree crime), possession of a weapon for unlawful purpose (third degree crime), and unlawful possession of a weapon (fourth degree crime), according to published reports.
The New Jersey chapter of civil rights organization Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ) has praised the Essex County prosecutors for filing charges against Morrison, according to a press release from the group.
“Horrific acts of violence like this remind us of the rise in Islamophobia and other forms of bigotry in our nation, and the importance of condemning hatred whenever and wherever we see it. Tolerating this type of evil will only lead to more violence against minority communities. It is the responsibility of government officials and law enforcement to proactively speak out against bigotry, letting the people of New Jersey know that Islamophobia is not welcomed in our state,” CAIR said in its release.
Photo courtesy Essex County Prosecutor’s Office
