- Robert Avery, a registered sex offender, attempted to run down Muslim families at a California park during a picnic, using racial slurs and threats. He has been charged with assault, criminal threats, and a hate crime after surrendering to authorities.
- Prompt witnesses recorded the incident, aiding law enforcement in Avery’s swift arrest. The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) praised local authorities and urged federal hate crime charges, while highlighting Avery’s prior conviction for molesting a minor.
In a deeply disturbing incident, a registered sex offender named Robert Avery, 33, recently attempted to target a gathering of Muslim families enjoying a picnic at Heron Landing Park in Rancho Cordova, California. Operating a silver car, Avery launched an assault by driving menacingly toward the group, accompanied by a barrage of racial slurs and threats of violence, even proclaiming his intent to “shoot and bomb” them. The incident took place earlier this month.
Avery’s heinous actions were captured in footage, publicly shared by the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR). The video shows parents frantically evacuating with their children as Avery recklessly maneuvered his 2012 Honda Insight, deliberately traversing curbs and foliage in his aggressive pursuit. An adult intervened urgently, ensuring the safety of a child just before Avery, who resides in Orangeville, sped down a footpath and fled the scene.
Thanks to the presence and quick thinking exhibited by prompt witnesses who recorded the incident and promptly contacted 911, law enforcement apprehended Avery expeditiously. Sgt. Amar Gandhi praised these individuals for their valor, highlighting their decision to document the event, which led to the swift identification of the assailant and his vehicle.
The Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office reported that callers recounted Avery’s disturbing behavior, including directing racial slurs towards Middle Eastern parkgoers and issuing threats of violence. Detectives specializing in Bias-Based Crimes and Crime Scene Investigation swiftly launched a comprehensive inquiry into the incident, treating it with the utmost gravity and professionalism.
CAIR commended local law enforcement for their rapid response in apprehending the suspect and appealed to federal authorities to consider instating hate crime charges in connection with this apparent targeted assault on a marginalized community. Notably, Robert Avery had a prior conviction for the offence of annoying or molesting a minor under 18, as indicated by sex offender records.
An adult promptly lifted a child out of danger’s reach just before Avery, residing in Orangeville, sped down a footpath in his 2012 Honda Insight and exited the park.
Robert Avery, 33, endeavoured to mow down the gathering using his silver car, all the while uttering racist slurs and menacingly declaring his intention to ‘shoot and bomb’ them.
