In a shocking and heart-wrenching incident that has sent shockwaves through the community, 66-year-old Jasmer Singh, an Indian-American Sikh man, lost his life in a brutal hate crime tragedy in Queens, New York.
Singh’s family is now pushing for hate crime charges against the alleged perpetrator, Gilbert Augustin, who is currently in police custody and facing multiple charges, including manslaughter, assault, and aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.
Jasmer Singh Mystery Death
The fateful day, October 19, began as a routine one for Jasmer Singh and his wife. They were returning from a doctor’s appointment in Kew Gardens when their lives took an unimaginable turn. A minor fender-bender on the road set off a series of events that ultimately led to Singh’s tragic demise.
Eyewitnesses at the scene recall hearing a male voice shouting, “No police.” According to a criminal complaint, the situation escalated when a man approached Singh’s car and forcibly took his cell phone.
Jasmer Singh, displaying remarkable courage, stepped out of his vehicle to confront Augustin and retrieve his phone. What followed was a heated exchange, during which Singh managed to regain possession of his phone.
Tragically, the confrontation took a violent turn when Augustin allegedly punched Singh repeatedly in the head and face. As a result of the brutal assault, Singh sustained a severe brain injury. He was rushed to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, where, despite the best efforts of medical professionals, he tragically succumbed to his injuries the following day.
Jasmer Singh’s son, known simply as Multani, is convinced that the attack was fueled by hate. He disclosed that his father suffered a broken skull and lost two front teeth during the horrific assault.
Multani stated, “The guy was addressing my father with his costumes, with his turbans. There was no reason for someone to go in that intensity. My father was targeted, and it is a possible hate crime.” He also described his father as a “very noble person, a simple person” who had been planning a visit to his native India with his wife.
The aftermath of the incident has left Singh’s wife traumatized, with a “terrible impression” of the harrowing ordeal.
Mayor Eric Adams expressed his condolences, emphasizing the need for unity and rejecting hatred in a heartfelt message. “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 you have more than our condolences. You have our sacred vow that we reject the hatred that took this innocent life and we will protect you,” he wrote.
Judge Danielle Hartman, taking the severity of the incident into account, has ordered that Gilbert Augustin be held without bail. Augustin is scheduled to appear in Queens Criminal Court later this week.
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