Associated Press
GARDEN CITY, New York: A grand jury on Tuesday returned a 10-count indictment against an Egyptian college student accused of driving into a group of people at an upscale golf club last month. His attorney insists he was the victim of a racial attack.
Sayed Khaled El-Waraky, a student at American University in Washington, D.C., was indicted on four counts of first-degree assault, two counts each of second and third degree assault, reckless endangerment and driving while intoxicated, Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice said in a statement.
El-Waraky, 24, started a fight at the Glen Cove Golf Club s Soundview Bar on June 18 before threatening to kill a bouncer who threw him out, prosecutors said.
El-Waraky got into his 2005 Jaguar and began to leave. He then turned back and sped toward a crowd gathered outside, striking four people, who suffered injuries including skull fractures, prosecutors said.
This was a truly horrific assault, Rice said, and I look forward to holding this individual accountable for his actions.
El-Waraky s attorney, John Lewis, said his client was the victim of an attack by several men inside the club and was ridiculed with racial epithets.
He was panicky and fearful; he was just trying to flee, Lewis said. I think when the evidence comes out you will find this is not a depraved act, which is why he was charged with first-degree assault.
Lewis said there are witnesses who will corroborate his client s version of what happened.
An arraignment date for El-Waraky, who lives in Vienna, Virginia, had not been set. He could face up to 25 years in prison if convicted.
