What comes as an apparent third hate crime case in two weeks against the Indian community in United States, a 39 year old Sikh man was injured by an unknown assailant, who shot the victim outside his home and allegedly shouted "go back to your own country."
According to Washington Post, the victim was working on his vehicle outside his home in the city of Kent on Friday when he was approached by a stranger, who walked up to the driveway.
There was an altercation, and the gunman - a stocky, 6-foot-tall white man wearing a mask over the bottom part of his face - said "Go back to your own country" and pulled the trigger.
An argument ensued, and the suspect, wearing a mask, told him to go back to his homeland, the victim said. The victim told police the man then shot him in the arm.
According to the local police, the Sikh man sustained "non life-threatening injuries" and they are "treating this as a very serious incident."
Kent police have launched an investigation into the case and reached out to the FBI and other law enforcement agencies.
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This development comes close on the heels of the tragic shooting in Kansas last month of 32-year old Indian engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla, who was killed when 51-year old US Navy veteran Adam Purinton opened fire at him and his friend Alok Madasani before yelling "get out of my country."
Earlier this week, Indian-origin convenience store owner Harnish Patel, 43, of Lancaster in South Carolina was found dead of gunshot wounds in his yard.