Assault On Muslim Under Investigation

June 13, 2009

Author: Christina Lane

Source: Longview News-Journal

http://www.news-journal.com/news/content/news/stories/2009/06/13/06132009_gilmer_muslim.html

The Upshur County Sheriff's Office is investigating an assault on a Gilmer man who claims he was attacked because he is Muslim, officials said Friday.

Sheriff's investigator Mark Moore said law enforcement officers took a report from James Berry, 34, who claims he was attacked on June 6 at his home. Moore said he could not release details because the investigation is ongoing. He added that the incident has not been ruled a hate crime.

In a news release on Friday, the Council on American-Islamic Relations said Berry, who converted to Islam, reported that two former co-workers punched, choked and kicked him, and used religious slurs. He also said he felt the barrel of a gun pressed to his head and said the attackers threatened to hurt him again if he contacted police, the release stated.