Club attack prompted by Donald Trump shirt, police say
NEW JERSEY -- Police are investigating after a man was assaulted with a steering wheel Club in the parking lot of a New Jersey restaurant, apparently for wearing a Donald Trump T-shirt.
Authorities say the 62-year-old victim, identified as Peter Yankowski, was walking along a street last week when a man in a vehicle questioned him about the shirt featuring the Republican presidential candidate and cursed at him.
"He called me white trash, cursed at me, blah, blah, blah, which I told the police officers," Yankowski said. "Came back in here, he followed."
He thought it would be the end after that, but he was wrong.
RELATED: Pro-Donald Trump display set on fire in yard of home
"Fifteen minutes later, he came back with a low-jack in his hand, daring me to come outside," he said. "I said I'll meet you outside so we can talk this over. Come outside, he swings the low-jack at me."
Yankowski said he was struck several times on the arm and hand and was treated at the scene. Police say the suspect fled before officers arrived.
"I realize that a lot of people don't like Donald Trump, but I never expected anything like this, to be physically attacked," he said.
A woman who tried to break up the altercation heard the comments leading up to club attack. Mimi Sonmez claims Yankowski was on his phone inside Friendly's and was verbally abusive to the motorist, who was getting ice cream. Things escalated from there, she said.
Yankowski said he will not wear the T-shirt again until November.
