The incident occurred on Sunday afternoon when a busload of migrant workers arrived at the Walmart parking lot. The workers, who are employed at the Knob Creek Orchard in Lawndale, North Carolina, make this trip every week.
According to surveillance footage from the store, the driver of a black SUV made a sudden turn onto the median where the workers were standing and plowed through them. The shocking incident was captured on camera, and the police have released a portion of the video to the public in hopes of identifying the suspect.
August 01, 2023
The Lincolnton police described the suspect as an older white male and believe that the incident was an intentional assault with a vehicle. They have also released grainy images of the vehicle, which is described as an older model mid-size black SUV with a luggage rack.
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Six migrant workers sustained various injuries in the incident and were immediately taken to Atrium Health Lincoln hospital for treatment. Fortunately, none of the injuries were life-threatening, and all six men were discharged on the same day. The motives of the suspect are still under investigation, according to the police statement.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) has suggested that the attack may have been a hate crime and has called for a federal investigation. Ibrahim Hooper, the national communications director and spokesman for CAIR, stated, "Because of the persistent anti-immigrant hate we have witnessed nationwide in recent years, we urge local, state, and federal law enforcement authorities to probe a possible bias motive for this alleged attack." It is unclear whether any of the victims identify as Muslim.
Authorities are urging anyone with information about the incident to contact the Lincolnton Police Department at (704) 736-8900 and speak with Detective M. Diallo.
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