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Contra Costa County Homicide May Involve Racial Motivations

Authorities in the East Bay are investigating the slaying of a young black man as a possible hate crime amid growing concern over racially motivated incidents and attacks nationwide.

The Contra Costa County Sheriff's Department arrested one white suspect and is searching for two others thought to be involved in the Nov. 12 killing of a 28-year-old musician.

Investigators say Will Sims was robbed, beaten and shot to death in the wee hours outside an El Sobrante bar near his hometown of Richmond. Investigators say Sims worked as a retail clerk, had no gang ties and a clean criminal record.

Authorities arrested 31-year-old Daniel Porter-Kelly and charged him with robbery and murder with a hate crime enhancement. Authorities are searching for 32-year-old Ray Simons and 31-year-old Daniel Ortega and didn't elaborate on the hate crime allegations or the details of the homicide.

Porter-Kelly remains jailed without bail. The suspect pleaded not guilty to the charges in court on Monday. Porter-Kelly's attorney, Seth Morris, said his client is innocent, noting the Richmond father comes from a diverse background.

The Southern Poverty Law Center says it has documented 701 "reports of hateful incidents of harassment around the country" since the presidential election.

Since then, the Council on American-Islamic Relations says it has documented about 100 "anti-Muslim" incidents, including an anonymous letter mailed to several California mosques saying President-elect Donald Trump will exterminate Muslims.

The population of Richmond is 36 percent black, making it the largest ethnic group in the city. Richmond Mayor Tom Butt said Sims' slaying appeared to be a hate crime and urged community restraint.

"I urge Richmond residents to maintain our city's values of respect and care for one another, especially during a time when we are experiencing a nationwide surge in hate-filled hostility and threats to public safety,'' Butt said Saturday in a statement.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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