A Florida man has been arrested after allegedly attempting to strike members of an LGBTQ+ running club with his SUV in West Palm Beach.
Ihab Mustafa El Mahmoud, 43, was taken into custody on Monday (24 November) after witnesses reported that he accelerated towards a group of pedestrians during their regular run along Parker Avenue.
Police responded to a 911 call at approximately 8:20pm, following reports that the driver had made multiple attempts to hit members of the club.
According to witness accounts, El Mahmoud allegedly drove a Ford Bronco directly at the runners, then made a second attempt, veering across the pavement and up an embankment.
Officers say he then attempted to flee, travelling 1.6 miles east on Okeechobee Boulevard. He reportedly parked the vehicle in a garage, removed the licence plate, and attempted to hide. Police located and apprehended him shortly afterwards.
Investigators told local media that the driver became “upset and agitated” over a perceived comment made by someone in the running group — which they allege led to his actions.
El Mahmoud has been charged with two counts of aggravated assault with intent to commit a felony and one count of reckless driving.
Authorities say they are considering whether to pursue hate crime enhancements under Florida law, with the investigation still ongoing.
According to the FBI, at least 655 hate crimes have been reported across the United States in the past year. Eight of those were in Florida, including two aggravated assaults, one arson case and a vandalism incident.
Nationally, hate crimes most often occur in residential settings, with 1,824 home-based cases logged in the past decade. Public spaces such as streets and roads are the second most common locations. Over the past five years, the FBI has documented 431 cases of anti-LGBTQ+ aggravated assault, while vandalism remains the most frequently reported offence, with 1,132 cases.
