Bakersfield mosque attack investigated as hate crime
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – Kern County Sheriff's deputies are investigating a mosque attack as a possible hate crime. Authorities say Saturday's incident left windows broken, cars smashed and worshippers frightened.
Witnesses reported that two men entered the women's section of the mosque early Saturday morning. When the women called for help, the suspects left, allegedly yelling slurs such as "Arab terrorists" and "terrorists go home" as they ran out. Later that night, witnesses said about 10 people returned to the mosque. They allegedly smashed the windows and damaged the cars that remained in the parking lot.
A spokesman with the sheriff's department says when deputies arrived, they saw some people throwing rocks at the mosque. No arrests have been made in the case.
Martin Sullivan