The Florida chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-FL) on 2 January called on the FBI to investigate a shooting attack in which the alleged perpetrator objected to a man perceived as “Middle Eastern” and Muslim being in the company of a “white” woman. CAIR-FL said the two people attacked in the incident were harassed with racial slurs as they were leaving a local Walmart at 3 a.m. on 2 January. A police report indicates that the shooting victim was asked if he is Middle Eastern and whether he is Muslim. He reportedly answered in the negative to each question.
The alleged attacker shot the man at least twice in the face with a pellet gun. Local law enforcement authorities are investigating the incident (Police Report 13-163) as a hate crime. “We urge the FBI to investigate this case because it seems to fit a disturbing pattern of recent incidents targeting Muslims in Florida and nationwide,” said CAIR-Tampa Executive Director Hassan Shibly.