Incident Overview
On May 19th, a distressing incident occurred at an apartment complex pool in Euless, Texas. Elizabeth Wolfe, 42, is facing serious charges after allegedly attempting to drown a three-year-old girl. The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) has called for hate crime charges against Wolfe, citing racially charged comments made before the attack.
Witness Accounts
Emma Aziz, a witness present at the scene, provided a detailed account of the events. Aziz, who frequently visits the pool with her seven-year-old son, described hearing a mother frantically screaming for help. According to Aziz, the mother was shouting, “Help me! She’s killing my baby.” Aziz then saw Wolfe pull the mother’s three-year-old daughter into the pool and force her head underwater.
Aziz immediately alerted another man in the pool to assist. The man managed to pull the child away from Wolfe, while someone else called 911. Aziz described the situation as chaotic and terrifying, noting that everyone present, including her own son, was deeply shaken by the incident.
Police and Legal Actions
Initially, Wolfe was arrested for public intoxication. However, further investigation led to more severe charges. She is now charged with attempted capital murder and injury to a child. Euless police stated that the incident began when Wolfe questioned the mother about her origins and why she was speaking a different language to her children. The mother was wearing a hijab at the time, which seemed to have triggered Wolfe’s aggressive behavior.
As Wolfe was being taken away by the police, she reportedly threatened to kill the mother and her entire family. This has led CAIR to advocate for the incident to be classified as a hate crime. Mustafa Carroll, from the Texas chapter of CAIR, emphasized that the incident was driven by bias and prejudice. The Euless Police Department acknowledged in a statement that the offense is believed to have been motivated by bias or prejudice.
Community Impact
At a press conference, Carroll read a statement from the victim’s family, who are American citizens originally from Palestine. The family expressed their ongoing trauma and fear for their safety, highlighting the broader implications for the Islamic community. Carroll stated that such incidents reopen old wounds for the community, exacerbating feelings of vulnerability and fear.
Emma Aziz, who is originally from West Africa, was emotionally affected while giving her statement to the police. She realized that such an incident could have easily involved her own child. Aziz has vowed to support the victim’s family, asserting the importance of standing up against such hate-fueled actions.
Current Status
Elizabeth Wolfe has since bonded out of jail. It remains unclear if she also resided at the apartment complex where the incident took place. The investigation continues as authorities and community leaders grapple with the gravity of the incident and its implications for the safety and unity of the community.
Conclusion
The attempted drowning of a three-year-old girl by Elizabeth Wolfe has shocked and outraged the community in Euless, Texas. The incident, marked by racially charged comments and violent actions, has prompted calls for hate crime charges. Witnesses and community members, deeply affected by the events, are advocating for justice and support for the victim’s family. As the legal process unfolds, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by minority communities in confronting hate and prejudice.
