Texas Man Sentenced for Hate Crimes Following Mass Shooting Targeting Muslims at Car Repair Shop

 

A Dallas man was sentenced to 37 years in prison, with credit for time served in state custody, following his guilty plea to hate crime charges arising out of a fatal shooting at a car repair shop.

On Sept. 14, 2023, Anthony Paz Torres, 39, pleaded guilty to five federal hate crime counts for killing one individual and attempting to kill four others during a mass shooting at Omar’s Wheels and Tires in Dallas on Dec. 24, 2015. Torres also pleaded guilty to one count of using a firearm to commit the murder.

“As this sentence makes clear, hate crimes fueled by Islamophobia, or by bias of any kind, will be met with the full force of the Justice Department,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “No person in this country should have to live in fear because of who they are, what they look like, or how they pray.”

“The defendant attempted to commit a mass shooting and intentionally targeted victims at a Muslim-owned business,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “This case is an abhorrent example of how deadly Islamophobia can be in our own country and the severe consequences that wait for anyone who commits acts of hateful violence. The FBI places civil rights investigations as one of our highest priorities because everyone deserves to practice their religion without fear.”

“No person in the United States should fear that they will be the target of violence because of their religion,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The sentence handed down today ensures that Torres will be held accountable for the hate-fueled, Islamophobic violence he inflicted on the victims in this case. The Justice Department will continue to vigorously investigate and prosecute such hate crimes.”

“North Texans come from a variety of religious traditions and backgrounds, and no one should have to live in fear because of the way they worship,” said U.S. Attorney Leigha Simonton for the Northern District of Texas. “This case demonstrates the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s dedication to protecting members of our north Texas community from acts of violence fueled by hatred toward any religious group. Let the message be clear: if you commit such acts, we will seek to prosecute you and send you to prison for as long as possible.”

According to court documents, Torres admitted that a few days prior to the shooting, he went to Omar’s Wheels and Tires, made anti-Muslim comments, and pledged that he would come back. When he returned to the business on Dec. 24, 2015, Torres asked customers if they were Muslim. After being escorted back to his vehicle by Omar’s Wheels and Tires employees, Torres discharged his firearm in the direction of multiple employees and customers. Torres admitted that he killed one person and attempted to kill four other people at Omar’s Wheels and Tires because he believed that they were Muslim. 

The FBI Dallas Field Office investigated the case, with assistance from the Dallas Police Department and Dallas Criminal District Attorney’s Office.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicole Dana for the Northern District of Texas and Rebekah J. Bailey, formerly a Trial Attorney with the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, prosecuted the case, with the help of Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen Gilstrap for the Northern District of Texas.

For more information and resources about the Department’s work to combat hate crimes visit www.justice.gov/hatecrimes.

Governor Hochul Announces $4 Million to Enhance Services for Individuals With Complex Mental Health Care Needs Statewide

Will Enable Providers to Increase and Expand Outpatient Services; Better Engage New Yorkers Struggling with Mental Illness 

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that nearly $4 million has been awarded to 77 community-based providers to establish, enhance, or expand access to specialized treatment for New Yorkers with complex mental health care needs. Administered by the New York State Office of Mental Health, the awards are part of the Governor’s $1 billion plan to strengthen the state’s mental health care system by adding capacity system-wide, expanding existing programs with a record of success, funding new evidence-based initiatives, and increasing direct engagement at every stage of service. The $4 million will allow healthcare providers on the front lines to increase outpatient engagement, provide effective group intervention, and fast-track access to vital behavioral health programs, including for groups not historically reached by traditional systems of care.

“New Yorkers struggling with mental illness should be able to access care when needed so they can live safely and successfully within their communities,” Governor Hochul said. “This funding will support providers as they enhance and deliver critical outpatient services including rehabilitative services, psychiatric assessment, and crisis intervention services.”

Programs receiving funding must provide complex care management and specific mental health outpatient treatments for individuals, groups, and families. These programs collectively serve more than 350,000 individuals annually, including many with a variety of high-risk or specialized mental health needs.

Office of Mental Health Commissioner Dr. Ann Sullivan said, “This funding will provide innovative approaches to engage and involve individuals and families who have been underserved by our mental health system. These dollars support services that fast-track access to care and work to ensure quality coordinated services. By building these programs, Governor Hochul is helping to ensure everyone in our state has access to critical mental health supports when and where they need them.”

The 77 community-based providers are located throughout New York State. A list of recipients by OMH region is available here.

Providers awarded funding have experience as OMH-licensed mental health outpatient treatment rehabilitative service programs, serving individuals with significant mental health needs or experiencing a mental health crisis. Nearly all of the allocated $1 billion is now in procurement.

Governor Hochul’s proposed FY 2025 Executive Budget builds on this vision through establishing new inpatient capacity, strengthening youth mental health programs; and codifying regulations to safely discharge individuals from inpatient settings.

Bronx River Art Center (BRAC) - Pedro Giraudo Tango Quartet Performance: "From Tradition to the Future"

BRONX RIVER ART CENTER 

Celebrating 37 Years of Bringing Arts & Cultural Programs to the Bronx

Five Boroughs Music Festival and Bronx River Art Center co-present

Pedro Giraudo Tango Quartet:

"From Tradition to the Future" 

Saturday, April 27th at 4:30PM

BRAC is proud to partner with Five Boroughs Music Festival to present Latin GRAMMY Award winner Pedro Giraudo and his Tango quartet. Pedro Giraudo is internationally acclaimed for his compelling, emotional music that not only celebrates the works of the great Astor Piazzolla, but is an active ambassador of the continuing evolution of tango into new territories. With immense respect for its roots and rich musical past, his virtuoso tango has thrilled audiences at both classical and jazz venues, and at festivals nationwide.

The Pedro Giraudo Tango Quartet includes Pedro Giraudo on compositions and bass, Nicolás Danielson on violin, Rodolfo Zanetti plays bandoneón and Ahmed Alom on piano.

The performance at BRAC will include selections from great tango masters from the 1930s to the present: e.g., Alfredo Gobbi, Francisco Canaro, Osvaldo Pugliese; the revolutionary Astor Piazzolla and— evolving even further—Pedro Giraudo. In this program, the ensemble offers the audience insight into how tango evolved from marginal venues to cafes and dance halls, and finally to prominent concert halls. The musical journey will be accompanied by short anecdotes about the main figures in the history of tango, as well as some explanation of the principal rhythms of the genre (milonga, waltz, and tango).

The combination of Pedro's own innovative compositions and arrangements, as well as his interpretations of the great tango masters from Pugliese to Piazzolla, and the impeccable musicianship of the members of his quartet, make for an exceptional, enriching experience.

Tickets:

$10.00 for adults, $8.00 for seniors, $5.00 for Students with ID, and pay what you can for currently enrolled BRAC students

SNAP Discounts will be available.

Pedro Giraudo: Bio

As a composer and arranger, Latin GRAMMY Award winner Pedro Giraudo leads his own jazz and tango ensembles and has been hailed by critics as one of the most creative and daring bandleaders on the scene today. His compositions combine his love of classical forms, Argentine tango and folk music, and the spontaneity of jazz improvisation. The band, which boasts some of New York’s finest musicians, has performed regularly in the most prestigious jazz clubs in the New York City area, including the Jazz Standard, Birdland, The Jazz Gallery, Blue Note, Joe’s Pub, as well as abroad. John Murph of Downbeat described Giraudo’s music as “an opulent listening experience of modern, orchestral jazz, brimming with passionate improvisations, deliberate contrapuntal melodies and plush harmonies. Pedro Giraudo has also conducted the world renown WDR Big Band and Cologne Contemporary Jazz Orchestra.

It was his album ‘Vigor Tanguero‘ that won a Latin GRAMMY award in 2018 for “Best Tango Album.” In 2014 Ruben Blades’ CD “Tangos” on which Pedro recorded bass won two Grammy Awards. Pedro has collaborated with Pablo Ziegler, Paquito D’Rivera, and Dizzy Gillespie’s protégé William Cepeda, as well as ‘Tango meets Jazz’ guests: Branford Marsalis, Kenny Garrett, Regina Carter, Nestor Torres, Miguel Zenon among many others. He has also collaborated as a performer and arranger for The New York Philharmonic and has played the bass for the New York City Ballet Orchestra. He has also been the musical director of Tango for All’s ‘Blind’, Mariela Franganillo Company’s “Tango Connection” and “Tango Recuerdo” and performed with U.S.’s most prominent tango ensembles including ‘Forever Tango’, Hector Del Curto’s ‘Eternal Tango’ and Daniel Binelli’s ‘Tango Metropolis’. He has participated in numerous jazz and music festivals throughout the North America, Europe, Latin America, the Caribbean and Asia, and performed in venues such as The Blue Note (Japan & USA), Birdland (Austria), London’s Queen Elizabeth Hall, Jazz Festival Royale in Thailand, Kennedy Center (Washington DC), Iridium, Jazz Standard, Blue Note, Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall (NYC).

 YouTube links that support the theme of the program (tradition to the future):

"Canaro en Paris" (Caldarella & Scarpino)

Prepárense (Astor Piazzolla)

Ávido (Pedro Giraudo)

And Pedro's YouTube channel if you'd like to see more!

This program is made possible with support from the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, including Council Members Eric Dinowitz, Althea Stevens, Kristy Marmorato and the Bronx Delegation. Additional support is from Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson, the NYS Council on the Arts with support from Governor Kathy Hochul and the NYS Legislature. Foundation support is from Con Edison: The Power of Giving, The New Yankee Stadium Community Benefits Fund, The Lincoln Fund and private donors.

Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson - Community Resources & Updates

 

Dear Neighbor,

Thank you for joining us for another week in review.

We are excited for the return of Bronx Week! Thank you to everyone who submitted a healthcare nomination for this year`s People`s Choice Award. We will make the formal announcement of our 2024 inductees to the Bronx Walk of Fame on May 6th. Bronx Week celebrates the people and places that help to make our borough a great place to live, work, and visit and we are excited to have all of you join us this year.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact our office at 718-590-3500 or email us at webmail@bronxbp.nyc.gov.

 

In partnership,

Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson

IN THE COMMUNITY

We just made history in the Bronx with the first-ever raising of the transgender flag at Bronx Borough Hall! Even as we are seeing an attack on our TGNC brothers, sisters, and siblings across the country, in the Bronx, we stand against all forms of hate and fully embrace all members of our community. Thank you to the members of our LGBTQIA+ Task Force and everyone else who joined us today in solidarity with our TGNC residents in commemoration of Transgender Day of Visibility.

Easter was in full bloom this weekend in the Bronx. It was an honor to join Assembly Member Karines Reyes, NLPOA BX Chapter, the 40th Precinct Council and the Bronx Community Partnership Council, Inc. for their annual Easter Extravaganzas. Thank you to all the families who came out to celebrate with us.

In partnership with My Brother’s Keeper and our anti-gun violence partners, we held a Stomp the Violence event to provide resources and education to better prepare our young Kings for the future.

I want to give special recognition to Jamir Boria for receiving the MBK Leadership Award and his NUMEROUS acceptance letters from various colleges and universities across New York State.

These are the stories we need to amplify of our scholars exemplifying excellence in their communities.

Congratulations to Jamir and all of our MBK fellows!

Our educators provide an invaluable service to our families, communities, and society but we must equip them with the tools to be successful.

I joined with Superintendents Jaqueline Rosado, District 12, and Maribel Hulla, District 10 and the Office of Teacher Recruitment and Quality (NYCPS) for their Teacher Recruitment Fair at Fordham University to encourage the next generation of teachers in our borough to be the change makers our scholars need to be the future leaders of our city.

UPCOMING EVENTS

RESOURCES

Painters Recruit Apprentices

 

Finishing Trades Institute of New York will conduct a recruitment from May 3, 2024 through May 16, 2024 for 75 Painter, Decorator, and Paperhanger apprentices, the New York State Department of Labor announced today.

Applications can be obtained, in person only, from Finishing Trades Institute of New York, 45-15 36th Street, Long Island City, NY 11101, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, with the exception of extended period ending on Wednesdays (May 8th and May 15th) until 5:00 PM, during the recruitment period. This is a limited-application recruitment. Only 750 applications will be distributed, on a first-come, first-serve basis. The recruitment will be offered for 10 business days or until 750 applications have been issued, whichever comes first.

The Committee requires that applicants:

• Must be at least 18 years old.
• Must have a high school diploma or a high school equivalency diploma (such as GED or TASC). Proof of high school diploma or equivalent will be required at the time of enrollment in apprenticeship.
• Must be physically able to perform the work of a painter, decorator, paperhanger as determined by site evaluations and personal statement (more information will be provided during a mandatory orientation).
• Must take a drug test prior to enrollment in apprenticeship, at the expense of sponsor.
• Must be able to read, hear, understand instructions and warnings in English.
• Must sign an affidavit attesting to:
  • Lifting and carrying material and equipment up to 70 pounds.
  • Working from ladders, scaffolds, lifts and suspended scaffolds.

For further information, applicants should contact Finishing Trades Institute of New York at (718) 937-7440. Additional job search assistance can be obtained at your local New York State Department of Labor Career Center (see: dol.ny.gov/career-centers).

Apprentice programs registered with the Department of Labor must meet standards established by the Commissioner. Under state law, sponsors of programs cannot discriminate against applicants because of race, creed, color, national origin, age, sex, disability, or marital status. Women and minorities are encouraged to submit applications for apprenticeship programs. Sponsors of programs are required to adopt affirmative action plans for the recruitment of women and minorities.

NYPD ANNOUNCES CITYWIDE CRIME STATISTICS FOR MARCH, FIRST QUARTER 2024

Substantial reductions attained in subway system while shootings, major crime categories continue downward trends 

New York City saw continued reductions in overall crime through the first quarter of 2024, both above ground, on streets throughout the five boroughs, and below ground, within the nation’s largest subway system. The single month of March 2024, compared to the same month last year, experienced even more drastic crime declines.

Overall crime in the transit system plummeted 23.5 percent in March, an achievement directly attributable to the 1,000 additional uniformed NYPD officers surged into the network each day. Another 800 NYPD officers were also recently deployed as part of “Operation Fare Play,” an initiative focused on enforcing fare evasion. The year-over-year crime decrease was led by double-digit percentage drops in major categories: Robbery was reduced 51.9 percent (26 vs. 54), grand larceny decreased 15.2 percent (89 vs. 105), and felony assault dropped 10.9 percent (49 vs. 55). From January 1 through March 31, 2024, overall crime in the transit system was down 1.1 percent (538 vs. 544), compared to the first quarter of 2023.

Since the start of 2024, overall arrests in the subway system are up almost 53 percent compared to last year (4,813 vs. 3,147), including an 83.3 percent increase in gun arrests (22 vs. 12), a nearly 80 percent jump in fare-evasion arrests (1,864 vs. 1,038), and a 24.1 percent hike in grand larceny arrests (108 vs. 87). In that time frame, Criminal Court summonses issued by police jumped 65.3 percent (1,666 vs. 1,008), and included an increase of nearly 5.5% (370 vs. 351) in those written specifically for fare evasion. The total number of Transit Adjudication Bureau (TAB) summonses issued for various offenses also climbed 28.1% (48,771 vs. 38,082).

“There cannot be a sense of lawlessness in the subway system, and it begins at the turnstiles,” said Police Commissioner Edward A. Caban. “It is highly encouraging to see the tangible results of our hard work – the investment we are making is clearly paying dividends. We vow to maintain our tight focus on the drivers of crime in order to improve transportation safety – and perceptions of safety – at every station, on every train, at all hours of the day and night. That is what New Yorkers expect and deserve.”

Citywide in March 2024 compared to March 2023, overall crime dropped 5 percent, a reduction of 505 incidents. Continued declines were recorded across many bellwether crimes, including murder, down 19.4 percent (29 vs. 36); burglary, down 17.4 percent (1,005 vs. 1,217); and grand larceny, down 7 percent (3,883 vs. 4,176). Robbery was flat in March (1,264 vs. 1,264), while grand larceny auto – the theft of motor vehicles – declined for the fourth month in a row, down 10.9 percent (1,037 vs. 1,164). From January 1 through the end of the first quarter of 2024, major crime and violence throughout the five boroughs dropped 2.4 percent, a decrease of 711 incidents.

Shooting incidents in March 2024 were reduced 25.9 percent (63 vs. 85), equating to 29 fewer shooting victims compared to the same month last year (71 vs. 100), a 29 percent decrease. This correlates to 358 people arrested for possession of an illegal firearm, a 7.5 percent increase from the same period last year. Shooting incidents for the first quarter of 2024 compared to 2023 were down 18.5 percent (181 vs. 222), meaning that 56 fewer people (212 vs. 268) were shot in New York City since the start of the year, a 20.9 percent reduction. From January 1 through the end of March, the NYPD took nearly 1,600 illegal guns off New York City streets, adding to the 15,180 total guns seized since the start of 2022.

In March 2024, compared to the previous March, the total number of bias incidents investigated by the NYPD’s Hate Crime Task Force across the five boroughs increased by 27 incidents. Overall crime in New York City public housing developments dropped 6.2 percent.

For all major index crimes in March, 479 additional people were arrested compared to a year ago, an 11 percent increase (4,826 vs. 4,347). Since the start of the year, 1,398 more people were arrested for major crimes this year, marking an 11.1 percent jump (13,980 vs. 12,582).

*All crime statistics are preliminary and subject to further analysis, revision, or change.*

Index Crime Statistics: March 2024

	March 2024	March 2023	+/-	% Change
Murder	29	36	-7	-19.4%
Rape	148	132	16	12.1%
Robbery	1264	1264	0	0.0%
Felony Assault	2278	2160	118	5.5%
Burglary	1005	1217	-212	-17.4%
Grand Larceny	3883	4176	-293	-7.0%
Grand Larceny Auto	1037	1164	-127	-10.9%
TOTAL	9644	10149	-505	-5.0%

Index Crime Statistics: Q1 (Jan. 1 – March 31)

	Q1 2024	Q1 2023	+/-	% Change
Murder	82	99	-17	-17.2%
Rape	366	380	-14	-3.7%
Robbery	3937	3775	162	4.3%
Felony Assault	6390	6159	231	3.8%
Burglary	3129	3629	-500	-13.8%
Grand Larceny	11606	11838	-232	-2.0%
Grand Larceny Auto	3158	3499	-341	-9.7%
TOTAL	28668	29379	-711	-2.4%

Additional Statistics: March 2024

	March 2024	March 2023	+/-	% Change
Transit	166	217	-51	-23.5%
Housing	486	518	-32	-6.2%
Shooting Incidents	63	85	-22	-25.9%

Additional Statistics: Q1 (Jan. 1 – March 31)

	Q1 2024	Q1 2023	+/-	% Change
Transit	538	544	-6	-1.1%
Housing	1424	1479	-55	-3.7%
Shooting Incidents	181	222	-41	-18.5%

Rape Incident Reporting Statistics: March 2024

(Reports filed from March 1 – March 31 in years indicated)

Yea  r	Total  Incidents  Reported	Incident  Occurred  Same Year	Incident  Occurred  Previous  Year	Incident  Occurred  2 Years  Prior	Incident  Occurred  3 Years  Prior	Incident  Occurred  4 Years  Prior	Incident  Occurred  5+ Years  Prior
2024	148	106	20	2	3	1	16
2023	132	92	16	8	1	3	12
2022	131	79	24	8	3	3	14
2021	140	86	17	8	4	4	21
2020	103	75	20	3	3	1	1
2019	158	114	17	6	4	1	16

Rape continues to be underreported. If you are a victim of

sexual assault, please come forward. The 24-hour NYPD

Special Victims Division hotline is: 212-267-RAPE (7273). 

Hate Crimes Statistics: March 2024

(March 1 – March 31 for calendar years 2024 and 2023)

Motivation	2024	2023	Diff	% Change
Asian	6	4	2	50%
Black	6	6	0	0%
Ethnic	1	0	1	***
Gender	0	2	-2	-100%
Hispanic	0	0	0	0%
Jewish	43	29	14	48%
Muslim	5	0	5	***
Religion	2	1	1	100%
Sexual Orientation	12	4	8	200%
White	0	2	-2	-100%
TOTAL	75	48	27	56%

Note: Stats above are subject to change upon investigation, 

as active possible bias cases may be reclassified to non-bias 

cases and removed from counted data.