Press Release: Sikh American shot in a possible hate crime in Cincinnati, OH
Posted By Zaheerul Hassan
The American Sikh Council (ASC) is deeply concerned and saddened by the senseless murder of a Sikh American man in Cincinnati, Ohio by a 20 year old named Broderick Malik Jones Roberts in the town of Hamilton, OH.
Jaspreet Singh of Monroe, a south-western suburb of Cincinnati, Ohio died of injuries he sustained when he was shot at by 20-year-old Broderick Malik Jones Roberts on the night of May 12, while he was sitting in his car, as reported by the ‘Journal News’.
Jaspreet Singh lived with his family in Monroe, OH with his wife and four children, two boys and two girls. The motive of the attack is not yet known but maybe racially motivated.
Broderick Roberts has a criminal history and was sent to prison in 2016, after pleading guilty to trespass, unlawful restraint and assault, according to Butler County, Ohio court records.
The corrosive environment post 9/11 was further sharpened since President Trump came on the national scene in and around mid-2016. Due to his hateful rhetoric, on average one Sikh American has been assaulted and/or murdered in a hate related crime continuously every month. Many of these incidents are under reported and many times not reported as biased hate crimes, further reducing the chances of justice.
The 32-year-old Sikh who managed convenience stores and later worked as a truck driver, was shot about two weeks ago in Ohio, has succumbed to his injuries at the intensive care Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton, Ohio , while leaving a family which is ruined and in complete shock.
Jaspreet Singh suffered a gunshot wound to the upper torso on May 12, according to a Hamilton Police report. He died on May 21, as stated by the Butler County Prosecutor Michael Gmoser.
A grand jury May 25 indicted Roberts suspected of killing an Sikh American father of four in Hamilton, Ohio, on two counts of felony murder.
The Judge Jennifer McElfresh has set a bond of $1 million, substantially increasing it from the initial amount of $125,000 in Hamilton Municipal Court. Roberts is scheduled to be back in court on May 31.
According to a United Sikhs representative, “He served as a United Sikhs volunteer, helping prepare shipments for critical humanitarian missions in the past year. Jaspreet Singh’s legacy is inherited by his four children, wife, and family members.”
American Sikh Council (ASC) Vice-President Jasbir Kaur stated, “We request all the Gurdwaras and especially those that are in the state of Ohio to provide any and all support and assistance to the family in their time of dire need.”
The American Sikh Council conveys its deepest condolences to the family of Jaspreet Singh and pray that the Akal Purakah give them strength to bear this terrible loss.
