Colorado man attacks TV reporter while shouting ‘This is Trump’s America now’

A Colorado man tackled and strangled a television reporter in a potentially racially motivated attack, according to police.

Patrick Egan, 38, has been accused of following and attacking KKCO/KJCT reporter Ja’Ronn Alex on December 18 in Grand Junction, Colorado.

Alex told police that he believes Egan targeted him because he is Pacific Islander. 

Egan physically attacked Alex after demanding to know if he was a citizen and shouting ‘This is Trump’s America now,’ according to the affidavit. 

The alleged aggressor followed Alex’s car for about 40 miles from the Delta area before pulling up to him at a stoplight and verbally harassing him, the Associated Press reported. 

Egan, who was driving a Sunshine Rides taxi, shouted at Alex that he was a marine and he ‘took an oath to protect this country from people like you!’ 

The young reporter, who is originally from Detroit, was coming back from an assignment when the incident occurred and was driving company vehicle. 

He drove away from Egan and returned to the news station – but the suspect continued following him. 

Patrick Egan, 38, has been arrested and accused of bias-motivated crimes, 2nd degree assault by strangulation and harassment by following and ethnic intimidation

KKCO/KJCT reporter Ja’Ronn Alex was reportedly followed by Egan for about 40 miles before the physical attack 

Egan was driving behind Alex in a Sunshine Rides taxi. He followed the young reporter from the Delta area to Grand Junction

As Alex left his car and walked to the station’s entrance, Egan ran after him and reportedly ordered Alex to show him identification, according to police documents. 

The situation quickly turned violent, as Egan then tackled the reporter, put him in a headlock and ‘began to strangle him,’ according to the affidavit. 

Fellow reporters rushed to help Alex, who was seemed to be struggling to breathe during the brutal attack that was partially captured by surveillance cameras, the Associated Press reported. 

Police soon arrived and arrested Egan on bias-motivated crimes, 2nd degree assault by strangulation and harassment by following and ethnic intimidation charges.

The bias crimes and assault charges are both felonies, while the harassment charge is a misdemeanor. 

After his arrest, he was taken to Mesa County Detention Facility, according to a statement from the Grand Junction Police Department.  

He will appear in court on Thursday to learn what formal charges have been filed against him. 

KKCO reported that Egan’s bail is set at $20,000. The outlet also reached out to Sunshine Rides about the attack.

Alex earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Clemson University in 2023

Alex told police that he believes he was targeted because he is Pacific Islander 

The taxi company’s General Manager Kelly Millan said in a statement: ‘This type of behavior has no place in our society and I strongly condemn it. I deeply regret the harm and disruption this has caused the victim, his family and co-workers. 

‘Sunshine Rides has suspended Egan pending a full investigation, will assist law enforcement and will use this incident to re-emphasize our core values and expectations with our entire team.’

According to his author’s profile, Alex earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Clemson University in 2023. 

KJCT and KKCO are sister stations that share a studio in Grand Junction. KJCT is an ABC affiliate and KKCO is a local branch of NBC. 

On social media, people have shared their disgust with Egan’s actions.

Under a selfie Egan posted just a day before the violent attack and his arrest, more than 100 viewers expressed their outrage.

‘Trumps America? Boy, you try that with me and see what happens next,’ one commenter wrote, referencing the fact that Egan cited soon-to-be president Donald Trump during the incident.

Someone sarcastically added: ‘All the misery in your life is obviously the fault of some 22-year-old TV reporter.’

People slammed Egan for his horrific actions under a Facebook post he made just one day before the attack 

Egan reportedly referenced Donald Trump while yelling at Alex, stating ‘This is Trump’s America now’

‘What kind of loser commits an unprovoked attack like Patrick did? A very stupid and racist one,’ another chimed in. 

Several people called him a disappointment to the US military community. 

‘This guy is a disgrace to the marines. What a total loser,’ someone said.

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Publish date : 2024-12-28 17:09:00

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