Police Investigating Possible Hate Crime
Woman Says Stranger Punched Her Near Dickson
Last updated Monday, August 8, 2005 10:16 PM CDT in News
By Trish Mehaffey
The Morning News
FAYETTEVILLE -- Jenifer Royer said Tuesday she has a black eye and a cracked bone in her nose after being punched Friday by a man outside of Bordino's in what police said could be a "potential hate crime."
Royer, 32, a gardener for the city of Fayetteville, said she and her girlfriend had left the Dickson Street restaurant near dusk Friday and were walking to their car parked on Campbell Avenue when the incident happened.
Detective Dave Williams said the incident is still under investigation, but he can't rule out the possibility of it being a potential hate crime.
Police Chief Frank Johnson said crimes of hate are often random, which makes it difficult to identify a suspect as is the case with Royer's attacker.
"In order to classify a crime as a hate/bias crime, there must be objective evidence that the offender's criminal act was motivated, in whole or in part, by their bias against the victim's racial, religious, ethnic/national origin, sexual orientation or disability, Johnson said. "Such crimes have a serious impact on the victim and the community as a whole."
Johnson said he and other members of the department take these crimes seriously.
"We'll work vigorously in our investigations to hold offenders accountable. Community support for the victim and assistance with the investigation sends a strong message to the individual or people responsible for this crime," Johnson said.
Royer said a truck abruptly stopped on Campbell as they were walking and the male driver mumbled something to the couple.
"We just kept walking and didn't think much about it. I usually don't fear for my safety in Fayetteville," she said. "Then, my girlfriend was thanking me for dinner and we kissed. He (driver of truck) then said something, something 'faggots.'"
Royer said out of nowhere the man grabbed her.
"I don't remember how he grabbed me," she said. "It happened so fast. He then punched me in the nose and all I remember is seeing white light and then black."
Royer fell against the concrete wall along Campbell, hitting her head and scraping her shoulders. The man left in his truck.
"My nose really hurt and blood started pouring out," she said. Royer remembers looking at the truck's license plate.
Her girlfriend was attempting to help her, Royer said.
"Then I walked to the front of the restaurant and started yelling the license number," she said. "A woman outside the restaurant heard me and was writing it down and I saw another guy who had his phone and he called 911."
Kathy Thompson said she was leaving Bordino's when she saw a crowd outside and her friend told her Royer was hurt.
"I just comforted her," Thompson said. "I just wanted her to feel safe. The people in Bordino's had gotten her some ice and a rag for her nose. It was really bleeding."
Royer said the paramedics treated her at the scene and she went to the doctor Saturday. The doctor told her she has a cracked bone in her nose, she said.
"It was a pretty cowardly act -- a sucker punch," Royer said. "I have never been threatened. Someone has yelled at me before but nothing like this."
Royer said she or her friend didn't provoke the man.
Royer has lived in Fayetteville since 1991 and has worked seven years for the city.
Williams said the license plate number Royer gave him came back to a passenger car. Police are still trying to make contact with the owner.
Royer said she was unsure if it was an Arkansas license tag but believes the number she gave police is correct.
Williams said there were several witnesses at the scene but some confusion on what model and make truck the suspect was driving. Most have said it was a darker colored late 1980s or early '90s model Dodge or Chevrolet truck.
The description of the suspect given by Royer is a man in his early 20s, medium build with light, short hair, Williams said.
Williams said he also plans to look at videotape of Dickson Street from Friday to see if the tape captured the incident.
"Hopefully, we will turn up something or get lucky with the tag," he said.
Police ask that anyone with information on the incident call detective Dave Williams at (479) 587-3520.
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