A Colorado man was arrested following a potentially racially motivated assault on a reporter in Grand Junction.
At a Glance
- Patrick Thomas Egan attacked news reporter Ja’Ronn Alex in Grand Junction, Colorado.
- The assault appeared to be racially motivated with Egan questioning Alex’s citizenship.
- Egan declared, “This is Trump’s America now,” during the incident.
- Surveillance footage captured part of the attack at the reporter’s workplace.
- Egan faces charges including bias-motivated crimes and assault by strangulation.
Incident Details
On December 18, 2024, Patrick Thomas Egan confronted television reporter Ja’Ronn Alex in Grand Junction, Colorado, leading to a violent altercation. Allegedly motivated by racial bias, Egan followed Alex’s car for roughly 40 miles before confronting him at a stoplight. It was there that Egan questioned Alex about his nationality, declaring, “This is Trump’s America now,” Egan said.
Witnesses reported that Egan, a marine and a driver for Sunshine Rides taxi service, claimed to be protecting the country from individuals like Alex, suggesting possible racial motivation. After reaching the news station, Egan tackled Alex and placed him in a headlock. Surveillance cameras captured part of the altercation, and several coworkers intervened to help Alex.
Colorado man facing bias-motivated charges after attacking TV reporter https://t.co/EhpOzIVGE3
— Axios (@axios) December 28, 2024
Legal Proceedings
Following the incident, Egan was arrested and remains in detention awaiting court proceedings. Egan has been charged with several offenses, including second-degree assault by strangulation and harassment with ethnic intimidation. His bail is set at $20,000.
Sunshine Rides responded by suspending him from his duties, with Kelly Millan, reportedly stating, “This type of behavior has no place in our society and I strongly condemn it. I deeply regret the harm and disruption this has caused the victim, his family and co-workers.”
Egan is scheduled to appear in court on Thursday. Reports also reveal that Egan has a prior criminal record, serving 30 days for misdemeanor criminal mischief in 2019.
