Man accused of pistol-whipping trans woman, then being involved in a road rage incident days later

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- A Houston man is accused of pistol-whipping a transgender woman on Aug. 29, then three days later, pointing a gun at a couple during a road rage incident that ended in a short police chase.

Salih A. Alhemoud, 28, is accused of robbing the trans woman at gunpoint, pistol-whipping her, and stomping on her.

Court documents state the man intentionally targeted the woman based on her sexual orientation and gender identity.

The victim did not want ABC13 to use her name, but said she clearly identified herself as transgender to the man when they agreed to meet up. However, he immediately became hostile after arriving at her southwest Houston apartment, she said.

According to records, Alhemoud arrived at the victim's apartment at about 1:30 p.m. that day and followed her into her bedroom.

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That's when he allegedly pulled out a dark-colored pistol, pointed it at her, and demanded her money.

"He said, 'You are a demon like the other ones, you are demon, because of my religion,'" she recalled. "And I'm like, 'I'm not a bad person, you're on Grindr trying to find trans women, what is the point? Please leave me alone.'"

After the victim told the man she did not carry cash, he hit her with the gun multiple times, causing her to fall to the floor, she recalled.

Alhemoud then reportedly continued to assault the victim by stomping on her face and torso.

When he asked the victim for money, she told him it was in her purse in the living room. When he went to the living room, she made a run for it.

"He told me, 'Wait in the bedroom', and oh, of course I thought not. When he went to the living room, I went running out and screaming, 'Help, help, help!"

The victim was left with multiple injuries to her face and arms, but managed to escape. She and neighbors reportedly saw Alhemoud drive off in a red Dodge Charger with black stripes.

Then, on Sept. 1, Alhemoud was apparently driving the same red car when he allegedly assaulted a couple in downtown by pointing a gun at them inside their car.

"Initially, I thought it was just road rage," recalled John Avila, who was in the car with his wife Veronica. "But at that point, you realize, it's that much more serious."

The Avilas, who own the store Henderson and Kane just off Washington Avenue, were driving home when they were confronted by Alhemoud on Congress Avenue.

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"Not only did he point the gun at us, but he pointed the gun at all the people around us, as well," the couple said.

The Avilas said they called 911 and followed Alehmoud until police could get to the scene.

"I think everyone in Houston is sick of this happening, so we're trying to make sure this guy gets caught," John Avila said.

Alhemoud led Houston police on a brief chase before he was arrested without further incident. Then, on Tuesday, a separate group of Houston police investigators were able to pinpoint him to the transgender assault case. He was then charged in that case as well.

Alhemoud is now in the Harris County Jail on a $100,000 bond.

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