Man To Face Charges Of Attacking Sikh Metro Bus Driver
INGLEWOOD (CBSLA.com) — A man will make his first court appearance Thursday on charges he attacked a Sikh Metro bus driver while shouting racial slurs.
KC Tard Jr., 34, was charged Wednesday with a felony count of battery with injury on transit personnel, with an allegation that the offense was a hate crime, according to the District Attorney's Office.
Tard allegedly attacked Balwinder Jit Singh on Nov. 6 near Crenshaw and Manchester boulevards. He allegedly shouted at Singh when he boarded the bus, accusing him of hijacking the vehicle and calling him a "terrorist" and a "suicide bomber."
Before he got off the bus, Tard then punched the driver repeatedly in the face, according to prosecutors.
Tard faces up to six years in prison if convicted, according to prosecutors. He is being held on $45,000 bail.
Metro spokesman Rick Jager said the driver is still with Metro, "but on a paid leave status at this time."
"This was an unfortunate incident that occurred and Metro has been cooperating with the (sheriff's department) in their investigation," he said.
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