EXCLUSIVE: Thug who beat Sikh man, 66, to death in NYC road rage attack is seen in court as he’s charged with a hate crime and manslaughter
A thug who allegedly beat a Sikh man to death during a road rage incident in New York City is facing a series of new hate crime charges.
Gilbert Augustin got into a fender bender with Jasmer Singh who was driving his wife home from a doctor’s appointment in Kew Gardens, Queens, sparking an argument between the pair.
A lawsuit revealed that when Singh returned to his Toyota, Augustin allegedly punched him three times in the head and face, causing Singh to fall to the ground and suffer a brain injury.
Augustin was initially charged with manslaughter, assault and aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle at the time of the arrest, but his charges have now been upgraded to hate crimes.
The new charges include “first-degree manslaughter as a hate crime, first-degree manslaughter, second-degree assault as a hate crime, and second-degree assault.”
Gilbert Augustin, 30, was seen in court for the first time today charged with the alleged murder of Jasmer Singh, 66, in a road rage incident
Singh was driving his wife home from a doctor’s appointment in Kew Gardens, Queens, when he got into a fender-bender with Augustin.
Augustin is being held at Rikers Island Jail and was seen in court for the first time today
At his arraignment today, Augustin was charged with a 20-count indictment. The new charges include “first-degree manslaughter as a hate crime, first-degree manslaughter, second-degree assault as a hate crime, and second-degree assault.”
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said, “This is a case of a bumper bender who immediately escalates to hate speech and then brutal, deadly violence.”
He is being held at the Rikers Island Jail and was seen in court for the first time today.
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said: ‘This is a case of a fender bender who immediately escalates to hate speech and then brutal, deadly violence.
“We will prove in court that it was anger fueled by hate that led to this senseless tragedy.
‘The defendant will have to answer to a number of very serious charges. “I want to thank my office and the NYPD for thoroughly investigating this crime.”
At his arraignment today, Augustin was charged with a 20-count indictment.
Witnesses said they heard Augustin repeatedly refer to Singh as ‘turban man’
According to officials, the 30-year-old allegedly reached into Singh’s Toyota and snatched his cellphone from his hand after they crashed.
Witnesses said they heard a man’s voice say “no police” before the altercation began. They also heard Augustin repeatedly calling Singh “turban man.”
Singh soon followed Augustin’s Ford Mustang before arguing with him and getting his phone back.
When Singh returned to his car, Augustin allegedly delivered three vicious blows to his head and face. Singh reportedly fell to the ground and suffered fatal brain injuries.
Augustin is said to have fled the scene after the fatal attack, while Singh was rushed to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, where he died the next day.
His son, identified as Mr Multani said WCBS that as a result of the attack, his father was left with a fractured skull and two missing front teeth.
A court filing revealed that when Augustin returned to his Toyota, he punched him three times in the head and face, causing Singh to fall to the ground and suffer a brain injury.
His son, identified as Mr Multani, said the attack left his father with a fractured skull and two missing front teeth. Sing was pronounced dead the next day after the attack
‘The man addressed my father with his costumes, with his turbans. There was no reason for anyone to go into that intensity. My father was targeted and it is possibly a hate crime,” Multani said.
He further said that Singh’s wife was left traumatized and a “terrible impression” after her husband’s life was taken.
Singh and his wife were preparing for an upcoming trip to India, where he was from.
Multani described his late father as an educated, “very noble person, a simple person.”
‘The man addressed my father with his costumes, with his turbans. There was no reason for anyone to go into that intensity. My father was targeted and it is possibly a hate crime,” Multani said
He further said that Singh’s wife was left traumatized and in a “terrible impression” after her husband’s life was taken.
Multani told the channel: “Please think about the safety of the Sikh community, that no one should lose the father, brother or son like I did.”
Multiple funeral services were held for Singh, including traditional Sikh funeral services
New York Mayor Eric Adams shared his condolences in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
“Jasmer Singh loved his city and deserved so much more than his tragic death. On behalf of all New Yorkers, I want our Sikh community to know that you have more than just our condolences.”
“You have our sacred vow that we will renounce the hatred that has cost this innocent life and that we will protect you,” Adams said in his post.
Just before reporting, New York’s mayor also said, “Our team will meet with Sikh leaders this week to discuss the needs of this critical community during this challenging moment.”
Multani told the channel: “Please think about the safety of the Sikh community, that no one should lose the father, brother or son like I did.”
Multiple funeral services were held for Singh, including traditional Sikh funeral services.