A Colorado man tackled and strangled a television reporter in a potentially racially motivated attack, according to police.
Patrick Egan, 38, has been accused of following and attacking KKCO/KJCT reporter Ja’Ronn Alex on December 18 in Grand Junction, Colorado.
Alex told police that he believes Egan targeted him because he is Pacific Islander.
Egan physically attacked Alex after demanding to know if he was a citizen and shouting ‘This is Trump’s America now,’ according to the affidavit.
The alleged aggressor followed Alex’s car for about 40 miles from the Delta area before pulling up to him at a stoplight and verbally harassing him, the Associated Press reported.
Egan, who was driving a Sunshine Rides taxi, shouted at Alex that he was a marine and he ‘took an oath to protect this country from people like you!’
The young reporter, who is originally from Detroit, was coming back from an assignment when the incident occurred and was driving company vehicle.
He drove away from Egan and returned to the news station – but the suspect continued following him.