Colorado man attacks TV reporter while shouting ‘This is Trump’s America now’
Police say a Colorado man tackled and strangled a television reporter in a possible racially motivated attack.
Patrick Egan, 38, is accused of following and attacking KKCO/KJCT reporter Ja’Ronn Alex on December 18 in Grand Junction, Colorado.
Alex told police he believes Egan targeted him because he is a Pacific Islander.
Egan physically attacked Alex after demanding to know if he was a citizen, shouting, “This is Trump’s America now,” the affidavit said.
The alleged aggressor followed Alex’s car for about 40 miles from the Delta area before driving up to him at a stoplight and verbally assaulting him, according to the Associated Press. reported.
Egan, who was driving a Sunshine Rides taxi, yelled at Alex that he was a Marine and that he “took an oath to protect this country from people like you!”
The young reporter, originally from Detroit, was returning from an assignment when the incident occurred and was driving a company car.
He drove away from Egan and returned to the news station, but the suspect continued to follow him.
Patrick Egan, 38, has been arrested and charged with bias-motivated crimes, second-degree assault by strangulation and intimidation by pursuit and ethnic intimidation
KKCO/KJCT reporter Ja’Ronn Alex was reportedly followed by Egan for about 40 miles before the physical attack
Egan rode 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 entrance, Egan ran after him and allegedly ordered Alex to show him his ID, according to police documents.
The situation quickly turned violent when Egan then attacked the reporter, pinned him down and “began to choke him,” the affidavit said.
Fellow reporters rushed to help Alex, who appeared to have trouble breathing 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, second-degree assault by strangulation and intimidation by pursuit, and ethnic intimidation charges.
The bias and assault charges are both felonies, while the harassment charge is a misdemeanor.
After his arrest, he was taken to the Mesa County Detention Facility, according to a statement from Grand Junction police.
He will appear in court on Thursday to learn what formal charges have been filed against him.
KKKCO reported that Egan’s bail has been set at $20,000. The outlet also contacted Sunshine Rides about the attack.
Alex received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Clemson University in 2023
Alex told police he believes he was targeted because he is a 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 damage and disruption this has caused to the victim, his family and colleagues.
“Sunshine Rides has suspended Egan pending a full investigation, will assist law enforcement and will use this incident to reemphasize our core values and expectations with our entire team.”
According to his author’s profileAlex received 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 affiliate of ABC and KKCO is a local affiliate of NBC.
On social media, people have shared their disgust at Egan’s actions.
Under a selfie that Egan posted a day before the violent attack and his arrest, more than a hundred viewers expressed their outrage.
‘Is America Trumping? Boy, try that with me and see what happens next,” one commenter wrote, referring to Egan quoting President-elect Donald Trump during the incident.
Someone added sarcastically: “All the misery in your life is clearly the fault of a 22-year-old TV reporter.”
People condemned Egan for his heinous actions under a Facebook post he made just a day before the attack
Egan reportedly referred to Donald Trump as he yelled at Alex and said, ‘This is Trump’s America now’
“What 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 American military community.
“This man is a disgrace to the Marines. What a total loser,” one said.