Sikh man attacked in Richmond

RICHMOND, Calif. (KTVU) - A man was severely beaten and had his hair cut off with a knife.

Now supporters of a Richmond Sikh man say his attackers should face hate crime charges.

Friends of the victim say this incident has traumatized him, and the entire Sikh community in Richmond. Attorneys for the National Sikh Coalition are watching this case closely.

They believe 41-year-old Singh Khalsa was targeted because of his ethnicity and religion, and that's why they believe hate crime charges should be filed.

On the night of Sept. 25th police say a group of six men in a pickup truck in the area of Hilltop Mall threw a beer can at the car Khalsa was in.

He stepped out of his car to pick up the can and throw it back, and that's when two of the men jumped out.

According to investigators they pulled Khlasa out of his car, and attacked him.

Khalsa suffered a black eye, cuts and bruises. Attorneys say he may need several root canals.

One of his fingers that was cut when he tried to defend himself May need to be amputated.

Police arrested two men for the crime. One of the men is from Texas, while the other is from Louisiana.

They have been charged with felony assault.

Attorneys with the coalition believe Khalsa was targeted because of his ethnicity and religion.

That's why they believe additional hate crime charges should be filed.

Under California law a hate crime enhancement for a felony can mean an extra two to four years in prison if convicted.

The District Attorney's office is still reviewing the case

Richmond's mayor says a decision on those hate crime charges is expected by the middle of the week.