Sikh community calling for police to investigate Queens road rage death as hate crime
QUEENS (PIX11) -- The Sikh community in Queens gathered for an interfaith rally Wednesday night to denounce hate.
This was after a Sikh man was killed in what police are calling a road rage incident. The community is now pleading with police to investigate the death as a hate crime.
Holding signs that said “Sikh Lives Matter” and chanting “Stop the hate…” members of the Sikh community were joined by elected officials and interfaith leaders for a rally in South Richmond Hill Queens Wednesday.
The group remembered 68-year-old Jasmer Singh after his horrific death.
He was a husband and father of three, originally from India, and moved here in 1991.
“He worked as a construction worker..then as a cab driver to feed and educate us. He ended up losing his life on the tarmac," his son Subeg Singh Multani said.
Police said last Thursday around noon, a 30-year-old man got into a physical altercation with Singh after the two crashed on Van Wyck Expressway near 87th Avenue.
Singh was taken to the hospital, where he later died.
“He just rampaged on my father in the span of three minutes. He just hit my father so hard on his head. His two front teeth were taken out,” Multani said.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams previously tweeted,
“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.”
Police said this was 100% not a hate crime but a road rage incident. But the family thinks otherwise and wants it investigated as one:
“He used the word Turban, man, I’m not letting you go home. According to me, Mom, this is hate," Multani said.
Mani Sandhu agrees.
Police said the 19-year-old was attacked while onboard an MTA bus by another passenger in what police have said was an unprovoked, religious-based bias attack earlier this month.
The suspect has since been charged with a hate crime and assault. Sandhu said he no longer feels safe in his community.
“I don’t know if anyone is going to attack me again,” Sandhu said.
The community said the goal of this rally is to create more awareness and stand united against hate.
“Education education education: let’s get to the root. Not just when a hate crime happens, we put a bandage on it. Making sure kids are educated early on so they’re more tolerant and not fall on the misconception of ignorance,” Japneet Singh, a community advocate, said.
Police have now arrested Gilbert Augustin from Queens in connection to Jasmer Singh’s death.
He is facing several charges, including manslaughter, assault and leaving the scene of an accident.