Man's Death Could Be Hate Crime: Cops

MOUNT VERNON, NY — The Mount Vernon Police Department is investigating a man’s death as a possible hate crime. On Tuesday, an unidentified man was found suffering from head injuries on Eastchester Avenue. The 35-year-old, later identified as Michael C. Jones, succumbed to his injuries at an area hospital.

Preliminary reports indicate the victim was in an altercation and fell or was pushed, possibly striking his head on a curb.

Police are investigating the man’s death as a possible hate crime. Law enforcement officials are releasing no further details at this time pending the ongoing investigation and medical examiner report.

“Our hearts go out to the family and loved ones of this individual," Mayor Richard Thomas said in a statement. "Those that seek to attack people to install fear in communities due to race, religion, or sexual orientation are cowards and will face justice. Mount Vernon is a city of inclusion and despicable acts of intimidation will not be tolerated."

Thomas said he has directed the Mount Vernon Police Department to collaborate with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the New York State Police’s Hate Crimes Unit, and other partners in law enforcement to investigate.

“We will continue to work with the community to find those that are responsible for, or contributed to, this young man’s passing," said Acting Commissioner Shawn Harris. "Mount Vernon has become significantly safer, with crime dropping 22 percent from 2012 levels; however this loss appears to be a deeply personal conflict that may be a hate crime.

"The Police Department is committed to protecting the people of Mount Vernon and we will continue to urge the City Council and Comptroller Maureen Walker to invest in public safety and stop holding up the department’s resource requests. Modern technology such as the use of video monitoring, community alert systems, and drones is a strong deterrent against criminal activity and is vital to reducing threats to public safety. We should never put a price on saving a life.”

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