Hate crime caught on videotape

A hate crime caught on videotape. The assault happened at an east Tulsa convenience store on October 5th at 1:30 in the morning. <br><br>News on Six crime reporter Lori Fullbright obtained video of the

Tuesday, October 22nd 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

A hate crime caught on videotape. The assault happened at an east Tulsa convenience store on October 5th at 1:30 in the morning.

News on Six crime reporter Lori Fullbright obtained video of the attack. To see the video, click this link if you have a dial-up connection, or click this link if you have a broadband connection. Note: to play either of these videos, you may need to install Windows Media Player.

Two men make the clerk suspicious enough that he accuses one of them of shoplifting. The man denies the accusation and says, "search me." The clerk checks the man's pockets - doesn't find anything - and goes back to ringing up their purchase. But, the two men start yelling at the clerk.

Suspect: "Go back to your own!@* country."

The situation heats up and on their way out the door, one of the men yells another slur, which police say makes this a hate crime.

Suspect: "You towel head, go back to your &^*! Arabian *&$! country."

After they smashed a display case, the clerk ran outside and confronted the men. Moments later, he came back inside and the suspect followed. The clerk picked up a two liter bottle of soda, hit the suspect with it, and the fight ensued.

In addition to the hate crime, police say this goes from a simple assault to an assault with a deadly weapon when the suspect takes a chain off his wallet and starts hitting the clerk with it.

A Good Samaritan jumps into the fray to try to stop the store clerk, he does keep the second suspect from coming back inside. With his shirt torn into shreds, it looks like the suspect is ready call it quits, but the store clerk is holding onto the man's leg and yells for someone to call police.

A second Good Samaritan finally pulls the suspect free and sends him on his way. This entire videotape is now evidence.

Detective Rico Yarbrough, Gangs Unit, Tulsa Police : "They had an excellent tape with an excellent picture of the suspects. The evidence is pretty cut and dry."

Police hope someone recognizes the men involved in this assault and is willing to provide names, so they put this case to rest.

If you have information about this case, you can call Crimestoppers at 596-COPS. You don't have to give your name and you could earn a cash reward. You can also enter anonymous tips on-line, by logging on to The TPS Website