Florida Man Charged After Vehicle Allegedly Targeted LGBTQ Running Group in West Palm Beach

Police in West Palm Beach, Florida, arrested a 43-year-old man who they say tried twice to drive into members of a local LGBTQ running club during an evening meet-up at Howard Park. The incident occurred shortly after 8:00 p.m. on Monday, according to the West Palm Beach Police Department, and has prompted a review for possible hate-crime enhancement.

Investigators identified the driver as Ihab Mustafa El Mahmoud, a Palm Beach County resident. Officers allege that El Mahmoud drove a Ford Bronco SUV through the park’s parking area, accelerated toward the runners, then looped back for a second attempt. Witness accounts gathered at the scene describe the vehicle veering onto sidewalks, cutting across grassy sections and climbing an embankment before it exited eastbound onto a public roadway.

Roughly 40 people were participating in the scheduled outing of Night Runners WPB, a club that organizes walks and runs on Monday and Thursday nights. A longtime member of the group told detectives that he spoke briefly with the driver shortly before the vehicle lunged in reverse toward him. Police said a perceived comment made by that runner appeared to aggravate El Mahmoud, triggering the alleged assault.

No physical injuries were reported, but several participants sought cover behind trees and benches as the SUV reportedly reached speeds estimated by witnesses at 60 to 80 mph within the park limits. Officers responding to multiple 911 calls arrived minutes after the vehicle fled. A description of the SUV and its license plate was broadcast to local patrols.

According to the arrest report, patrol units located the Bronco in a nearby parking garage where El Mahmoud was seen removing the license plate. Police detained him without incident and transported him to the Palm Beach County Jail. He faces two counts of aggravated assault with intent to commit a felony and one count of reckless driving. Detectives stated that additional charges are being evaluated under Florida’s hate-crime statute, which can increase penalties when offenses are motivated by bias against protected characteristics. Information about Florida’s hate-crime provisions is available through the U.S. Department of Justice.

The police department’s preliminary findings indicate that El Mahmoud made “multiple passes” at the group, suggesting intent rather than accidental contact. Surveillance footage from adjacent facilities and statements from runners are being reviewed to confirm the vehicle’s path and speed. Authorities have not disclosed whether any weapons in addition to the vehicle were involved.

Imagem: Internet

Club organizers have communicated with members to reassure them that safety measures will be evaluated before future events. They reported full cooperation with law enforcement and said attendance at upcoming runs will proceed as scheduled. City officials have not announced additional security at Howard Park but indicated that patrol frequency may increase during large gatherings.

El Mahmoud remains in custody pending an initial court appearance set for Wednesday. Bail considerations and potential appointment of a public defender were not finalized at the time of the police statement. Records show no prior felony convictions for the suspect in Palm Beach County, though investigators are examining any previous contacts with law enforcement.

Under Florida law, aggravated assault involving a motor vehicle is a second-degree felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison. A hate-crime enhancement could elevate sentencing guidelines if prosecutors establish that bias toward the group’s sexual orientation or gender identity motivated the act. The State Attorney’s Office is expected to review evidence collected by city police before making that determination.

Crédito da imagem: West Palm Beach Police Department