Man Arrested in California After Car Crashes Into Mosque, Attacks Member

IQNA – A Novato man was taken into custody Friday after reportedly crashing his vehicle into a mosque and assaulting a person inside, local authorities said.

Novato Police Department officers responded at around 11:30 a.m. to reports of a disturbance on the 7000 block of Redwood Boulevard, according to a statement from the department.

The statement said that a patrol officer, while speaking with a witness near the area, heard what sounded like a collision at the Islamic Center of North Marin. The officer went to investigate and saw a man exiting a car that had struck an outbuilding on the mosque’s property, according to KTVU.

Authorities reported that the driver then forcefully opened the door to the mosque, made incoherent statements, and attacked a member inside. The responding officer intervened, stopping the attack and detaining the suspect.

The individual was identified as 33-year-old David Slattery of Novato. The person injured in the incident was taken to a hospital for treatment of minor injuries.

Slattery was booked into Marin County Jail on suspicion of felony assault, burglary, and vandalism. Bail was set at $50,000.

Police said they had not determined that the incident was motivated by hate.

Source: Agencies