Investigators Work To Establish Motive In Brutal Tracy Killing

TRACY, CA — An arrest has been made in the Aug. 25 slaying of 64-year-old Parmjit Singh of Tracy, but a motive for the crime "remains a significant focus of the investigation," according to Tracy police.

Anthony Kreiter-Rhoads, 21, of Tracy was arrested Aug. 31 for the killing at Gretchen Talley Park. Detectives also conducted a search of his home, looking for evidence that might provide clues to a motive.

The Tracy Police Department had requested the public's help to identify a potential witness to the Aug. 25 attack on the Sikh man that occurred around 9:05 p.m. in front of Gretchen Talley Park on Dove Drive, near Egret Drive. Singh died at the scene. Video of a person seen in the area around the time of the attack was released.

During the investigation, Tracy police issued a statement that said the department was consulting with other law enforcement agencies in the region, and the FBI was providing the department with technical assistance.

Although a motive has not been revealed, United Sikhs — a U.N. affiliated, international nonprofit, nongovernmental organization — reached out to the FBI immediately following news of the attack and it wants to see federal hate crime charges brought against Kreiter-Rhoads.

"We applaud Tracy PD for working tirelessly on this case. On behalf of Parmjit's family, we will continue to work with local and federal authorities to ensure justice is served to the fullest extent of the law, including murder and hate crime charges," the organization said in a released statement.

According to United Sikhs, Singh died from a single slit cut across his throat during what the organization characterized as an "ambushed attack." Singh also suffered defensive wounds on his left hand, according to the organization.

United Sikhs "has been legally retained by the family to ensure hate crime charges are brought against the suspect," the organization said.

A GoFundMe page has been established by United Sikhs to help the family.