A man from Texas, who attacked a Muslim-owned auto repair shop, resulting in one death and four injuries, has been handed a 37-year prison sentence for hate crimes.
Anthony Paz Torres, aged 39, had previously been found guilty in 2018 for the assault that took place on Christmas Eve of 2015 at Omar’s Wheels and Tires in Dallas, receiving a 35-year sentence.
Last year in September, he admitted guilt to additional federal hate crime charges, leading to a new 37-year sentence on Wednesday, with the court acknowledging the time he has already served.
Attorney General Merrick Garland emphasized the Justice Department’s stance against hate crimes driven by Islamophobia or any other form of bias, affirming that actions would be taken to ensure justice.
Garland stated, “No person in this country should have to live in fear because of who they are, what they look like, or how they pray.”
FBI Director Christopher Wray remarked on the case, highlighting that Torres specifically chose his victims because the business was Muslim-owned, showcasing the deadly impact of Islamophobia in the United States and the stern repercussions awaiting those who engage in such hateful violence.
Court records reveal that Torres launched the shooting spree at the employees and patrons of Omar’s Wheels and Tires while expressing anti-Muslim sentiments, resulting in the death of an innocent bystander.
Data from an advocacy group has unveiled that discrimination and reported attacks against Muslims and Palestinians in the US have reached an all-time high in 2023, fueled by an increase in Islamophobia and bias.
A total of 8,061 complaints were filed in 2023, marking a 56% rise from the previous year and setting a new record since the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) began its recordings nearly 30 years ago.
Human rights advocates have also noted a global surge in Islamophobia, bias against Palestinians, and anti-Semitism following the outbreak of conflict between Israel and Hamas.
