Aurora police in Colorado arrested a man suspected of stabbing a white man walking his dog on Tuesday after allegedly yelling the words "black lives matter!" Steve Anthony Sinclair, 30, is now facing attempted first-degree murder and hate crimes charges.
Aurora, Colo.: Steve Sinclair shouted, "Black lives matter" & allegedly used a knife to stab 29-year-old Michael Conner, who is white. The victim suffered a collapsed lung in the brazen attack. #BlackLivesMatter https://t.co/Jwj5WDkBLo
— Andy Ngô (@MrAndyNgo) August 28, 2020
The police now have the assailant in custody. The arrest affidavit states that Sinclair, who is black, kept repeating the phrase “black lives matter” repeatedly when they arrived at the scene at East Alameda Avenue and South Sable Boulevard.
It’s unclear at this time whether Sinclair actually had any direct or indirect involvement with the Black Lives Matter movement.
According to 9News, Sinclair told arresting officers that he was a psychopath and that they should shoot him. Officers were able to put him under arrest peacefully, denying his apparent death wish. Some speculate Sinclair may have been looking to become a martyr and spark further riots and disturbances across the US.
Witnesses say they saw Sinclair approach his alleged victim, Michael Conner, telling him “I’m going to kill you and your dog.” Conner tried to run away and defended himself from his assailant with stick.
Prior to the stabbing, Sinclair allegedly yelled "black lives matter!"
Conner was hospitalized for his injuries, including a collapsed lung. The family of the victim says that he will not be able to work for at least six weeks as he recovers and have set up a GoFundMe to help pay for day-to-day expenses. Conner is the main provider of the family.
