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A man who sowed his Toyota Corolla in a group of pedestrians at a busy intersection in Sunnyvale, California, apparently did so on Tuesday, partly because he thought at least some of them were Muslims, said Friday. police.
The man, Isaiah J. Peoples, 34, faces eight counts of attempted murder in this episode, in which eight people were injured. Three of the victims were minors and a 13-year-old girl was in critical condition on Friday night.
Chief Phan Ngo of the Sunnyvale Ministry of Public Security said at a press conference Friday afternoon that new evidence gathered by police indicated that Peoples "deliberately targeted the victims. because of their race and belief in being Muslim Faith. "
The chief did not explain how the police had obtained the information indicating a possible motive, claiming that the investigation was continuing.
"The only thing we can confirm for the moment," added Mr. Ngo, "is that on the day of the incident, he had picked up food and that he was on the verge of l & # 39; 39, bring to his Bible study, group. "
Jay Boyarsky, Deputy Chief Attorney of Santa Clara County, said at the press conference that "there is no hate crime allegation at the moment, for one reason only : the case is still under investigation ". Peoples already facing face a maximum sentence of life in prison.
Mr. Boyarsky added that there was "very appalling and disturbing evidence" that at least one or two of the victims were targeted "on the basis of the accused's perception of what their race or religion might be. ".
In an interview Friday evening, Captain Jim Choi of Sunnyvale's Ministry of Public Security said there was nothing to indicate that the crime was motivated by terrorism. But he added that the ministry "is still waiting to find out more about the search warrant on his computer and mobile phone."
Mr. Peoples, a resident of Sunnyvale, appeared in court Friday and is currently being held without bail in Santa Clara County Jail. He will be pleading on May 16, said his lawyer, Chuck Smith.
At a press conference held after the hearing, Mr. Smith emphasized the military experience of Mr. Peoples and the impact of the passage of time on him. Mr. Peoples served in the army from 2004 to 2006 and in the Army Reserve from 2006 to 2008, Smith said.
"His mental state is going to be the battleground in the case," Smith said. "We are going to get it evaluated by the best people we can find because, like all veterans, he deserves the best people we can find."
"This is a story we see happening in many cases across the country," he added.
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