Arrest made in Dallas Korean hair salon shooting
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Dallas Police Chief Eddie Garcia. Screenshot courtesy of City of Dallas
The man accused of shooting three women at a Korean hair salon was having "delusions around anyone of Asian descent," Dallas police said.
Driving the news: A 37-year-old man has been arrested on three felony aggravated assault charges connected to what police have labeled a hate crime.
- Jeremy Smith was booked into the Dallas County jail early Tuesday and is being held in lieu of $300,000 bond.
What happened: Smith is accused of parking his red 2004 Honda Odyssey on Royal Lane, going to the Hair World Salon and firing a .22 caliber rifle 13 times on May 11, police said.
- Seven people were inside; three were injured. One was struck in the lower back, another in the forearm and the third was hit in the foot.
- Police initially said the attack was not a hate crime but reversed course Friday when Dallas Police Chief Eddie Garcia said investigators believe the shooting was connected to two others.
Details: Currently, Smith only faces criminal charges in the salon shooting. Police are continuing to investigate a drive-by shooting on April 2 on Royal Lane and another on May 10 in southern Dallas. Both attacks were at Asian-run businesses by a suspect driving a red van.
- Garcia said Smith's delusions began after he was involved in a car crash with an Asian man two years ago.
What they're saying: "It’s an issue of hate. It’s a hate crime," Garcia said at a Tuesday afternoon news conference. "Our community sees it as a hate crime. I see it as a hate crime. And so do our men and women."
Yes, but: Smith does not currently face a hate crime enhancement. That may come later.
- The FBI is also investigating the shootings as hate crimes.
What's next: Dallas police will continue to host forums with the Asian community like the one Monday night at the Korean Cultural Center.
- "You know what’s out of the ordinary in your neighborhood. If you see something, please say something," the chief said.