President Biden Denounces Racially Motivated Attack on Young Palestinian-American Girl in Texas Pool Incident

DALLAS — President Joe Biden expressed profound disturbance Monday following an incident where a young Palestinian-American girl was nearly drowned at a neighborhood pool in Euless, Texas, in what is believed to have been a racially motivated attack. In a statement via social media, Biden relayed his horror at the violent episode and extended his sympathies to the victim’s family, emphasizing that no child should ever undergo such an assault.

The attack occurred on May 19 at an apartment community pool where witnesses claim a woman targeted the young child due to her family’s ethnic background. Responding officers were informed by the girl’s mother that the assailant, later identified as 42-year-old Elizabeth Wolf, questioned her nationality and accused her of not being American.

The situation escalated when Wolf attempted to grab her 6-year-old son, who managed to escape. However, she then captured the 3-year-old girl, dragging her into the pool and trying to submerge her. Thankfully, alert bystanders intervened, preventing any physical harm to the girl.

Wolf was initially arrested for public intoxication and subsequently charged with injury to a child and attempted capital murder. She was released on bail the following day.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) has since urged for both state and federal investigations into this incident as potential hate crimes. The Tarrant County District Attorney’s office confirmed on Monday that they have received the case details and are currently reviewing them to determine the appropriate course of action.

Biden’s condemnation adds a high-profile voice to the growing chorus demanding justice and increased measures against racially motivated violence. His tweet also draws further public attention to hate crimes targeting minority communities, underscoring the pervading issue of racial intolerance and the need for vigilance and action from community leaders and law enforcement.

The Euless Police are continuing their investigation, gathering evidence and testimonies from witnesses. The community and local officials have been urged to support the affected family and ensure additional safety measures are put in place in public areas to prevent similar incidents.

As this case unfolds, it serves as a stark reminder of the work that remains in combating hate and ensuring safety and equality for all Americans, particularly in diverse communities across the nation. The national reaction, spurred by presidential attention, may catalyze further discussion and initiatives aimed at curbing racially motivated violence.