Denver, CO, July 22, 2020 … The Anti-Defamation League Mountain States Region and Colorado Sikhs welcome the decision of First Judicial District Attorney Pete Wier to add a bias-motivated crime charge in the case against a man who is accused of attacking a Lakewood business owner and member of Colorado’s Sikh community.
The Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office announced the additional charge in a statement released July 21. The suspect, 36-year-old Eric Breeman, now faces 17 counts, including attempted murder. He is accused of entering Two Angels liquor store in Lakewood on April 29, knocking over items and telling Lakhwant Singh, the store owner, to “go back to your country.” When Singh walked outside to get the license plate number on Breeman’s car, Breeman allegedly ran him over with his car. Singh suffered multiple broken bones, including a spinal fracture and internal bleeding, according to police reports.
ADL Mountain States Regional Director Scott Levin issued the following statement:
“The attack on Mr. Singh was horrifying and unconscionable. We commend the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office for conducting a thorough investigation and for filing the appropriate bias-motivated crime charge when the evidence warranted the charge. We also thank the Lakewood Police Department and federal law enforcement officials for assisting in the investigation. We continue to stand in solidarity with Mr. Singh, his family and Colorado’s Sikh community. We wish Mr. Singh all the best in his continued recovery.”
Dilpreet Jammu, Executive Director, Colorado Sikhs, issued the following statement:
“Mr. Lakhwant Singh suffered a debilitating bias-motivated attack that has impacted his entire family. Colorado Sikhs thanks the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office for
its leadership and for bringing hate crime charges during a difficult investigation. We are also grateful to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for Colorado, the FBI and the many members of the Colorado Coalition Against Hate for their hard work, input and insights. This would not have been possible without them.”
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ADL is the world’s leading anti-hate organization. Founded in 1913 in response to an escalating climate of anti-Semitism and bigotry, its timeless mission is to protect the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment for all. Today, ADL continues to fight all forms of hate with the same vigor and passion. A global leader in exposing extremism, delivering anti-bias education, and fighting hate online, ADL is the first call when acts of anti-Semitism occur. ADL’s ultimate goal is a world in which no group or individual suffers from bias, discrimination or hate. ADL’s Mountain States Region covers Colorado, New Mexico and Wyoming. More at https://mountainstates.adl.org/.