A Colorado man faces possible bias charges for allegedly attacking a television news reporter after he demanded to know if he was a citizen and said “this is Trump’s America now,” court documents show.
Patrick Thomas Egan, 39, was arrested Dec. 18 in Grand Junction after police said he followed KKCO/KJCT reporter Ja’Ronn Alex’s vehicle about 40 miles into the Delta area. Alex told police he believed he was being followed and attacked because he was Pacific Islander.
After arriving in Grand Junction, Egan, who was driving a cab, pulled up next to Alex at a traffic light and, according to the arrest affidavit, said something to the effect: “Are you an American citizen? This is Trump’s America now!” I’m a Marine and I’m sworn to protect this country from people like you!
Alex had been reporting outside and then drove back to his news station in town. According to evidence provided by police in the case, Egan got out of the car and chased Alex and asked him for identification. Egan then grabbed Alex, put him in a headlock and “began to strangle him,” according to the affidavit. Co-workers and witnesses who ran to help told police Alex appeared to lose the ability to breathe during the attack, which was partially captured on surveillance footage, documents state.
Alex is a native of Detroit, according to the station’s website. KKCO/KJCT reports he was driving a news vehicle.
Egan was arrested on suspicion of bias crime, second-degree assault and harassment. He is scheduled to appear in court Thursday to learn whether prosecutors have filed formal charges against him.
Egan’s attorney, Ruth Swift, was out of the office Friday and did not return a phone message seeking comment.
Stacey Stewart, vice president and general manager of KKCO/KJCT, said the station cannot comment beyond the reported attack.
For more CNN news and newsletters, create an account at CNN.com
