A man in Colorado, who claimed to be a Marine, allegedly attacked a TV news reporter while demanding to know if the reporter was a U.S. citizen. During the incident, the man reportedly said, “This is Trump’s America now,” before trying to strangle the reporter, according to police reports.
The man, identified as 39-year-old Patrick Egan, allegedly shouted, “I’m a Marine and I took an oath to protect this country from people like you!” during the attack on December 18. The victim, Ja’Ronn Alex, a reporter for KKCO/KJCT in Grand Junction, said Egan also asked, “Are you even a U.S. citizen?”.. Continue reading here ▶
Egan now faces several charges, including felony bias-motivated crimes, second-degree assault by strangulation, and misdemeanor harassment and ethnic intimidation. After posting bond, he was listed as eligible for release by the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office.
Egan, who was driving for a taxi company called Sunshine Rides, allegedly followed Alex for about 40 miles to the KKCO/KJCT news station where Alex worked. According to police, Egan tackled and strangled Alex before co-workers stepped in to stop him. Alex, who is of Pacific Islander descent, told police he believed the attack was racially motivated.
Sunshine Rides General Manager Kelly Millan condemned the attack in a statement, saying, “This behavior has no place in our society. I deeply regret the harm caused to the victim, his family, and co-workers.” The company has suspended Egan and is cooperating with law enforcement.
Alex said the incident began after he returned to the news station from an assignment. He reported that Egan chased him as soon as he got out of his car, demanded identification, and began choking him after making the Trump-related remark. Part of the attack was reportedly captured on surveillance footage.
Alex, originally from Detroit and a 2023 graduate of Clemson University, has lived in several areas in the Eastern and Southern U.S., according to his bio on KKCO.
Egan is scheduled to appear in court on January 2 to face the charges.
