The Council on American-Islamic Relations is calling for a hate crime investigation after a 7-year-old Yemeni American girl was slashed in the neck at a park in Detroit. The girl, who sustained non-life-threatening injuries, reported that a man approached her with a pocketknife and made the attack. Witnesses came to her aid, with one woman providing gauze pads to stop the bleeding. The suspect, Gary Lansky, has been charged with assault with intent to murder and assault with a dangerous weapon. He has a history of violence, as he was previously charged with assault with a deadly weapon and domestic violence in a separate incident involving his wife and sister.
According to Detroit police, there is no evidence to suggest that the attack on the girl was motivated by hate. Lansky’s family members have indicated that he may have been suffering from mental health distress at the time of the incident, as well as in the previous case. The 7-year-old victim required three stitches and is recovering from the attack. The Michigan chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations is calling for a comprehensive investigation to determine if hate was a motivating factor in the attack. The group has spoken with the girl’s family and the police to gather more information about the incident.
The Detroit Police Department and the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office have been urged to conduct a thorough investigation into the attack. The Council on American-Islamic Relations described the assault as senseless and stated that the assailant’s true motives are unknown. The organization called for a hate crime investigation to fully understand the circumstances surrounding the attack on the young girl. Lansky, who is currently in custody, was given a $2 million cash/surety bond with a GPS tether and house arrest. The girl’s mother granted permission for her to speak about the incident, during which she described how the man approached her with a knife and slashed her neck.
The girl bravely fought off her attacker by kicking his legs and then sought help from people nearby. Witnesses rushed to provide assistance, with one woman offering gauze pads to help stop the bleeding. The actions of these individuals helped ensure that the young victim received prompt medical attention and attention has been drawn to the need for a thorough investigation into the motive behind the attack. The Council on American-Islamic Relations emphasized the need to understand if hate played a role in the assault and called for justice to be served in the case. The community has rallied around the young girl and her family, offering support and solidarity during this difficult time.
