Oghaleoghene Atunu, a 21-year-old Colorado resident, was driving down a suburban neighborhood when he noticed a trio of 11- and 12-year-old boys going home from school. Surprisingly, the Aurora guy started circling the area before slowly approaching the youngsters, as if he were pursuing them. Atunu accomplished the unspeakable without notice or argument.
After gradually tailing the young boys, Atunu pushed the throttle, hopped the curb, and mowed down two of the three youngsters before racing away. Josh Piazza, one of the victims, was brought to the hospital with significant injuries. Luckily, the second victim had just minor injuries.
Surveillance video revealed Atunu seeing his victims and circling the area, as if looking for the best way to cause the greatest damage. Regardless of the fact that both the authorities and the Arapahoe County District Attorney’s Office confirmed that the collision was deliberate, many people were surprised to learn that Atunu would not face a hate crime conviction. Atunu was promptly recognized by his 2004 Buick Rendezvous and detained thanks to a tip from a nearby person.
Although he is not charged with a hate crime, he was charged with 15 counts, including three counts of attempted first-degree murder, two counts of attempted first-degree assault, two counts of child abuse, one count of first-degree assault, one count of failing to remain at the scene of an accident involving serious bodily injuries, one count of vehicular assault, one count of failing to notify police of an accident, one count of hit-and-run, one count of reckless driving, and one count of driving a vehicle with an expired driver’s license.
Despite video evidence of his actions preceding the event, Atunu claims that he lost control of his vehicle and hit the kids. He said he grew terrified and escaped the site.
Some contend that there is no proof that Atunu chose the boys based on their skin tone. Others, though, argue that it is a matter of consistency, stating that if the races were reversed, it would be called a racial hate crime. They also argued that the media was biased in its coverage.
America has grown increasingly divided along political, religious, and particularly racial lines. The media works hard to put one race against another, spreading the myth that possessing a given set of chromosomes automatically makes one an oppressor or a victim. Unfortunately, this causes us to instantly condemn one race over another, enabling true racists of all colors to go unpunished.
For the time being, Atunu is facing 15 counts that will eventually result in a substantial jail sentence. Sadly, we may never know why this monster sought to hurt three innocent kids. But maybe understanding he’s locked up in a jail cell will bring us all some comfort.
