"A Florida man has been arrested after allegedly attempting to hit members of an LGBTQ+ running club with an SUV. Ihab Mustafa El Mahmoud, 43, was taken into police custody on Monday (24 November) after witnesses claimed he accelerated toward a group of pedestrians in West Palm Beach. Officers responded to a 911 call at 8:20pm after a report that a driver had made several attempts to hit members of the club as they ran along Parker Avenue."
"It's alleged he then attempted to flee, driving 1.6 miles eastbound on Okeechobee Boulevard, according to local outlet WLFX, before parking in a garage and removing the vehicle's license plate. Police apprehended El Mahmoud shortly after he hid. Investigators told local outlets in a statement that the driver became upset and agitated over a perceived comment made by a member of the running club, which they claimed led to his alleged actions."
"The West Palm Beach Police Department charged El Mahmoud with two counts of aggravated assault with intent to commit a felony, and one count of reckless driving. Officers are reportedly considering whether to enhance the case under Florida's hate crime laws. Investigations remain ongoing. At least 655 hate crimes have been reported in the US over the past year, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI)."
Ihab Mustafa El Mahmoud, 43, allegedly accelerated his vehicle toward members of an LGBTQ+ running club as they ran along Parker Avenue in West Palm Beach. Witnesses reported multiple attempts to hit the runners, including driving across the pavement and up an embankment. He reportedly fled 1.6 miles before parking in a garage, removing the license plate, and hiding, after which police arrested him. He faces two counts of aggravated assault with intent to commit a felony and one count of reckless driving. Officers are considering a hate-crime enhancement and investigations remain ongoing. FBI data note hundreds of anti-LGBTQ+ incidents.
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