Florida man Ihab Mustafa El Mahmoud faces felony hate crime charges for trying to run over gay people in the street

Last month, Night Runners WPB, a local running group, was gathered at Howard Park in Palm Beach for an 8 pm run when Ihab Mustafa El Mahmoud “purposely drove his car towards the victims and the group of people,” according to the West Palm Beach Police Department.

El Mahmoud was reportedly upset after a member of the group made a passing comment to him. In response, he accelerated his vehicle at the runners, driving through a parking lot, onto a sidewalk, and across the grass, nearly striking members of the group.

The group’s treasurer, Rudolph Galindo, said he experienced “fear and terror” during the incident. “It was an experience that I have never felt before,” he said, according to CBS 12.

El Mahmoud was initially booked on multiple counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and reckless driving. During a bond hearing earlier this month, the assistant state attorney described him as “extremely dangerous” and said he “purposely drove” at the runners. The judge denied bond in response.

State attorneys’ filings now include a hate crime enhancement related to one of the victims. According to court documents, El Mahmoud “perceived...Jackson’s sexual orientation and intentionally selected him for the assault.” The enhancement means that, if convicted, El Mahmoud could face significantly longer prison time.