August 10, 2022
DALLAS, TX—A man accused of shooting three Asian-American women at a hair salon was indicted Tuesday on multiple counts, including hate crime enhancements.
The Dallas County District Attorney’s office announced the indictment of 37-year-old Jeremy Terrence Smith for the May 11 shooting at a salon in Dallas’ Koreatown. It alleges Smith entered the salon and fired 13 shots from a .22 caliber rifle, wounding three women and endangering four others, according to AP.
“Smith is alleged to have intentionally selected the complainants because of his bias or prejudice against Asian Americans,” according to the statement.
Smith’s girlfriend told detectives that he had been delusional about Asian-Americans since being involved in a car crash two years ago with a man of Asian descent. She said he had been admitted to several mental health facilities because of the delusions, according to a police affidavit.
Every time Smith is around Asians, “he begins having delusions that the Asian mob is after him or attempting to harm him,” his girlfriend told police. Smith was also fired for “verbally attacking” his Asian boss.
The 37-year-old suspect faces seven counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, each with a hate-crime enhancement. Each count is punishable with five to 99 years in prison, reports AP.
Smith remains in a Dallas County jail with bonds totaling $700,000.
Feature Images via Dallas County District Attorney & NBC News