Euless, Texas – President Joe Biden expressed his dismay over an incident where a 42-year-old woman in Euless, Texas, tried to drown a Palestinian American girl at a swimming pool. Biden took to social media to address the incident and convey his concern, stating that no child should ever face such a violent attack.
The altercation occurred on May 19 in Euless, a suburb of Dallas, when the 3-year-old girl, her 6-year-old brother, and their mother were approached by Elizabeth Wolf. According to local authorities, Wolf allegedly made inquiries about their origin and parentage before attempting to submerge the young girl underwater. Fortunately, the mother intervened, pulling her daughter out of the water.
After the incident, Wolf was taken into custody on charges of attempted capital murder and injury to a child, following an arrest for suspicion of public intoxication. The mother reported that during the confrontation, Wolf made derogatory comments about her nationality and uttered racial remarks.
In the aftermath, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) has called for a hate crime investigation into the incident. CAIR stated that the family, who are Muslim, were targeted while the mother was wearing a hijab. The mother shared in a statement provided by CAIR that her daughter continues to suffer from trauma as a result of the incident.
As the community grapples with this disturbing event, the public outcry and demand for justice have grown. The need to address hate crimes and xenophobic behavior has been emphasized, echoing concerns about discrimination and intolerance.
In response to the escalating tensions and concerns raised by the incident, local authorities have been urged to take swift action to ensure the safety and security of all residents. The incident has sparked a broader conversation about the importance of fostering a climate of inclusivity and respect in communities to prevent such acts of violence from occurring in the future.