Incident Currently Being Investigated as a Hate Crime, Follows Recent Fatal Shooting at a Bar in Olathe, Kansas
SEATTLE – Everytown for Gun Safety and the Washington chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, part of Everytown for Gun Safety, today responded to Friday’s shooting of a Sikh man in Kent.
According to information made public by law enforcement officials, Deep Rai– a 39-year-old Sikh man, who is also a U.S. citizen – was working on his vehicle in his driveway around 8 p.m. on Friday evening when he was shot and injured by an unidentified man. The shooter allegedly told the victim to “go back to your own country.” The victim was discharged from the hospital and is expected to make a full recovery.
The incident follows the recent shooting of three men at a bar in Olathe, Kansas. The shooter was reportedly heard using racial slurs and telling two of the victims – both of Indian decent and one of whom died – to “get out of my country” before opening fire.
STATEMENT FROM ERIN CIZMAS, A VOLUNTEER WITH THE WASHINGTON CHAPTER OF MOMS DEMAND ACTION FOR GUN SENSE IN AMERICA:
“Our hearts go out to the Rai family and we’re thinking about Deep during his recovery process. The fact that a member of our community was targeted – in front of his own home – is unacceptable. While the investigation is ongoing, one thing is clear: hate-fueled tragedies have no place in our country, and we know that guns help make hate deadly. We must stand together against this terrible act of violence and recommit ourselves to providing a safe community for all Washingtonians.”