Driver accused of trying to hit runners in LGBTQ+ group in West Palm Beach may face hate crime charges, police say

Police in West Palm Beach arrested a man who detectives stated tried to run over members of an LGBTQ running group and the dangerous drive was caught on video Onlookers noted the suspect identified as -year-old Ihab Mustafa El Mahmoud tried to run down the group of runners three times Monday night The tense terrifying ordeal ended with the driver hopping the curb and speeding away All right guys I m going to call a witness is heard on the video Rudolph Galindo believes he was the initial target I thought he was going to hit me I was terrified I thought he was going to hit me he stated Galindo is part of a group called Night Runners an LGBTQ-run club Twice a week they gather in Howard Park located at Parker Ave and go for a run Galindo evidenced where the man had parked his Ford Bronco The car was parked here towards the end in the corner he reported Galindo disclosed he petitioned the suspect if he was there to run He seemed aggravated that I was asking him if he was there for the running group so he reported no I just stepped away he mentioned A short time later Galindo declared El Mahmoud attacked He got into his car pulled out accelerating pedal to the metal and coming right at me where I was standing he reported This car is flying at you I have never seen a car fly that fast right towards me in my entire life Galindo and the other members of the club ran for the trees for protection Everybody came behind this tree that s right here and also this banyan tree right here to be in a safe spot he revealed El Mahmoud sped through the lot one more time before leaving doing a U-turn and coming back through again We were behind a tree but at this point it seemed like he didn t have any limits of what he was wanting to do or willing to do disclosed Galindo It didn t take long for West Palm Beach Police officers to find the suspect He was located at a downtown parking garage where he was taken into custody without event Galindo stated he can t be sure whether El Mahmoud was just scaring them or whether he really wished to hurt someone It s complex to say He certainly had the ability to do so and I don t think he would have been upset if he did hit somebody he announced El Mahmoud is now facing a number of charges including two counts of aggravated assault Police mentioned he may also be charged with a hate crime