Police: Person of interest in custody after driving through migrant workers in Lincolnton; FBI investigating possible hate crimes

Police said a person of interest is in custody after he intentionally rammed into six migrant farm workers outside a Walmart in Lincolnton on Sunday afternoon.

Lincolnton police responded to a crash at a Walmart Sunday around 1:15 p.m. Detectives said an older man driving a black SUV turned as if he was going to park near a bus. Instead, the driver plowed into a group of migrant workers who were standing near the vehicle outside the store. The driver then drove away from the parking lot.

Lincolnton have not identified the person at this time but police previously described the suspect as an older white male

The FBI on Monday joined the investigation into what police call an intentional attack on a group of migrant workers.

Six people were hospitalized. Police said none of the six victims suffered life-threatening injuries.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Lincolnton Police Department at 704-736-8900. Detective M. Diallo is the lead investigator in this case.

Police have not determined a motive at this time but said the act was intentional.

“We are outraged by the hate crime that occurred in Lincolnton which resulted in six migrant workers being injured,” said Stefania Arteaga, co-director of Carolina Migrant Network. “The event comes as no surprise as we have repeatedly seen these incidents at national and state level. Xenophobic rhetoric has consequences, and these are the direct results of it on our community. As an organization founded on social justice, we denounce hate crimes perpetrated against any community. We demand full accountability and a thorough investigation into this incident.”