Image via Ford
A West Palm Beach man is facing a slate of charges after police say he used his Ford Bronco in an attempt to strike members of an LGBTQ+ running club. The incident adds a darker chapter to the state’s long list of eccentric “Florida Man” stories, shifting from the typical oddball mishap to an episode that authorities now believe may involve targeted harassment.
According to investigators, 46-year-old Ihab Mustafa El Mahmoud encountered the group while driving through the city. What began as a routine pass-by escalated when he reportedly believed someone in the group made a remark toward him. Rather than leaving the situation behind, he allegedly accelerated toward the runners. No one was struck during the first attempt, as the group either moved out of the way or the vehicle missed them.
Police say El Mahmoud then made a second attempt. This time, he steered off the roadway and up a nearby embankment, giving the runners a brief chance to escape. After the failed attempts, he drove off instead of remaining at the scene, prompting a search by local authorities.
Investigators report that he continued east on Okeechobee Boulevard for roughly a mile and a half before pulling into a public parking garage. There, he removed his vehicle’s license plates, but the effort to avoid detection didn’t last long. With the help of security cameras, officers located him within minutes.
The running club was identified as an LGBTQ+ group, shifting the focus of the case toward potential motive. El Mahmoud was initially expected to face charges including aggravated assault with intent to commit a felony and reckless driving. However, the circumstances have raised the possibility of additional hate crime counts.
The case remains under review as authorities determine the full extent of the criminal charges.
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