A Florida man accused of trying to ram a gay runners group with his truck last month is now facing charges with a hate crime enhancement.
Ihab Mustafa El Mahmoud, 43, was initially charged with three counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and one count of reckless driving after the November 24 incident at Howard Park in Palm Beach County, WPEC reported. The hate crime enhancement was added on December 22.
Rudolph Galindo, a member of the Night Runners LGBTQ run club, told WPBF that he approached El Mahmoud and asked if he was there for the run, which happens twice a week at the park. El Mahmoud said no but appeared agitated, Gallindo said.
“He got into his car, pulled out, accelerating, pedal to the metal and coming right at me where I was standing,” Galindo said. “This car is flying at you. I have never seen a car fly that fast right towards me in my entire life.”
The 40 runners gathered for the event scattered and ran for the trees.
El Mahmoud drove through the parking lot, onto the sidewalk, and through the grass as he drove at the group before fleeing the park, WPEC said.
Officers found the Bronco with El Mahmoud at the wheel several blocks away and took him into custody.
He was denied bond at a hearing on December 3.
A probable cause affidavit said that El Mahmoud confessed, telling detectives he was “offended and enraged” when Gallindo asked if he was there for the run, OutSFL reported. He said he believed Gallindo was “making sexual advances toward him” and that Gallindo’s asking him if he was there for the run was disrespectful.
Night Runners returned to the park a week after the incident with double the usual number of runners.
“We had 80 runners, breaking our record by quite a few,” runner Logan Graves said. “Almost everyone who was there last Monday returned, even new runners who had that as their first experience. I’m so proud of everyone for showing each other how strong we are together and what community can be.”
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[Featured image: Ihab Mustafa El Mahmoud/Palm Beach County jail]
