DETROIT – A man accused of slashing a 7-year-old child’s throat is expected to be back in court Tuesday.
72-year-old Gary Lansky faces several charges, including assault with intent to murder.
Background: Man arrested after assaulting 7-year-old girl at Detroit park
Prosecutors said Lansky tried to stab 7-year-old Saida Mashrah on top of slashing her throat before approaching her grandma with the knife before his back. Family and community members said she was targeted because of her race.
“This is a hate crime. It’s not a random act of violence,” said Arab-American Civil Rights League Executive Director Mariam Charara.
The Arab-American Civil Rights League is calling for hate crime charges to be filed against Gary Lansky, the 73-year-old man accused of slashing a little girl’s throat as she played in Ryan Park. 7-year-old Saida showed the physical wounds she now has and every stitch she had to receive to kickstart the process along with the emotional trauma.
“Now I feel scared, and I don’t even want to go to school anymore. I just stay in my backyard,” said Saida.
“This is clearly a hate crime. The question is, was there a thorough investigation,” said Arab-American Civil Rights League founder and Chairman Nabih Ayad.
Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy’s team sent Local 4 the following statement on why the team hasn’t pursued hate crime charges.
“If we had any evidence that this was a hate crime and we could prove it beyond a reasonable doubt, we would not hesitate to charge it as a hate crime. I am happy to have the prosecutor handling this case reach out to the family for an in-person meeting.”