A man attacked an American TV journalist after chasing him for around 64 kilometres and demanding to know whether he was a citizen of the US.
According to an Associate Press report, Patrick Thomas Egan chased KKCO/KJCT reporter Ja’Ronn Alex’s vehicle for around 40 miles (64 kilometers). Later, he pulled up next to Alex at a stoplight and, according to an arrest affidavit, said something to the effect of: “Are you even a U.S. citizen? This is Trump’s America now! I’m a Marine and I took an oath to protect this country from people like you!”
Egan tried to strangle Alex. However, one of his colleagues rescued him. The police have arrested the attacker, who is facing possible bias-motivation charges.
The incident occurred when Alex was driving back to his news station in Colorado. After he gout out of his vehicle, Egan chased Alex as he ran toward the station’s door and demanded to see his identification, according to the document laying out police’s evidence in the case. Egan then tackled Alex, put him in a headlock and “began to strangle him,” reported AP citing the affidavit.
One of Alex’s coworkers stepped in and saved Alex from Egan’s attack. Alex appeared to be losing his ability to breath during the attack, as per the witnesses’ account shared to the police.
According to the station’s website, Alex is a native of Detroit. KKCO/KJCT reported that he was driving a news vehicle at the time.
Egan was arrested on suspicion of bias-motivated crimes, second degree assault and harassment. He is scheduled to appear in court Thursday to learn whether prosecutors have filed formal charges against him.
Egan’s lawyer, Ruth Swift, was out of the office Friday and did not return a telephone message seeking comment.
KKCO/KJCT vice president and general manager Stacey Stewart said the station could not comment beyond what it has reported on the attack.
