The city of New York is in shock following an attack on 66-year-old Jasmer Singh, a Sikh man, who tragically lost his life after a fender bender escalated into a deadly assault on October 19, 2023, in Kew Gardens, Queens.
Gilbert Augustin, 30, was arraigned on Tuesday, facing charges of manslaughter and assault as hate crimes in the brutal death of Jasmer Singh. According to witnesses, after a minor car accident, Augustin verbally abused Singh, repeatedly referring to him as “turban man.” The argument took a devastating turn when Augustin physically assaulted Singh, causing him to fall and sustain fatal injuries.
The incident occurred just days after another Sikh teenager was assaulted in Richmond Hill, emphasizing a disturbing trend of hate crimes against the Sikh community in the city. Christopher Philippeaux, 26, was charged with assault as a hate crime and aggravated harassment after attacking the young Sikh boy and attempting to remove his turban.
In response to the rising concerns within the Sikh community, New York City Mayor Eric Adams and State Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar met with members of the Sikh community at the Baba Makhan Shah Lubana Sikh Centre in South Richmond Hill. Mayor Adams pledged to protect the community and emphasized the need for education about Sikhism to combat ignorance and prejudice. Jenifer Rajkumar, the first Indian-American woman elected to the New York State Office, declared that the perpetrators of such violence would be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
Jasmer Singh’s son, Subeg Singh Multani, an immigration attorney, emotionally addressed the community, urging solidarity in pursuing the case as a hate crime. Singh, who came to the United States in the early 1990s with dreams of a better life, tragically fell victim to a senseless act of violence, leaving his family and the community mourning his loss.
Gilbert Augustin, now facing multiple charges including manslaughter and hate crimes, could be sentenced to up to 25 years in prison if convicted. The tragic incident has sparked outrage, prompting renewed efforts to address hate crimes and promote understanding and acceptance among diverse communities in New York City.
