Ahlulbayt News Agency: 37-year-old Minneapolis resident James Evan Suttles has been charged with second-degree assault after he allegedly targeted a mosque attendee in a hit-and-run incident.
The charge stems from an incident where a pedestrian was allegedly struck by a minivan in the parking lot of the Alhikma Islamic Center Mosque.
Court documents reveal that Suttles, who has a reported history of confrontations at the mosque, was previously barred from the property, Fox News reported.
On May 22, police were dispatched to the mosque following a hit-and-run report. The victim, who was in the midst of unloading his vehicle, claimed that Suttles, driving a silver minivan, accelerated towards him and made contact despite his attempts to evade the vehicle.
The collision resulted in the victim sustaining injuries to his head, knee, arm, and hip.
Witnesses at the scene corroborated the victim's statement, suggesting the act was deliberate.
Following the incident, Suttles fled, only to be apprehended later that evening by law enforcement outside his residence.
The mosque's leadership has expressed grave concerns over the safety of its congregation, citing Suttles' pattern of aggressive behavior, which includes prior physical altercations and vandalism.
Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, "We are concerned for the safety and wellbeing of the members of the Alhikma Islamic Center Mosque where this occurred.”
“In light of Mr. Suttles intentionally hitting the victim with a minivan, as well as his prior violent incidents at this mosque, we are seeking high bail,” she said, adding, “This was a terrifying incident, and I am thankful the victim did not suffer more serious injuries.”
“We are grateful to the Minneapolis Police Department for taking action quickly to investigate and arrest Mr. Suttles and we will continue to partner with their team to investigate the motive. If through further investigation we determine that we can prove beyond a reasonable doubt that this incident was motivated by bias we will prosecute accordingly."
Suttles remains detained and is due for a court hearing soon.
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The charge stems from an incident where a pedestrian was allegedly struck by a minivan in the parking lot of the Alhikma Islamic Center Mosque.
Court documents reveal that Suttles, who has a reported history of confrontations at the mosque, was previously barred from the property, Fox News reported.
On May 22, police were dispatched to the mosque following a hit-and-run report. The victim, who was in the midst of unloading his vehicle, claimed that Suttles, driving a silver minivan, accelerated towards him and made contact despite his attempts to evade the vehicle.
The collision resulted in the victim sustaining injuries to his head, knee, arm, and hip.
Witnesses at the scene corroborated the victim's statement, suggesting the act was deliberate.
Following the incident, Suttles fled, only to be apprehended later that evening by law enforcement outside his residence.
The mosque's leadership has expressed grave concerns over the safety of its congregation, citing Suttles' pattern of aggressive behavior, which includes prior physical altercations and vandalism.
Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, "We are concerned for the safety and wellbeing of the members of the Alhikma Islamic Center Mosque where this occurred.”
“In light of Mr. Suttles intentionally hitting the victim with a minivan, as well as his prior violent incidents at this mosque, we are seeking high bail,” she said, adding, “This was a terrifying incident, and I am thankful the victim did not suffer more serious injuries.”
“We are grateful to the Minneapolis Police Department for taking action quickly to investigate and arrest Mr. Suttles and we will continue to partner with their team to investigate the motive. If through further investigation we determine that we can prove beyond a reasonable doubt that this incident was motivated by bias we will prosecute accordingly."
Suttles remains detained and is due for a court hearing soon.
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