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Texas police seek mob death clues Texas police seek mob death clues
(about 2 hours later)
Police in Texas are calling for witnesses to the fatal beating of a passenger in a car, the driver of which apparently hit a child.Police in Texas are calling for witnesses to the fatal beating of a passenger in a car, the driver of which apparently hit a child.
David Morales, 40, was set upon on Tuesday night near a local festival in Austin after the child, aged three or four, was run over.David Morales, 40, was set upon on Tuesday night near a local festival in Austin after the child, aged three or four, was run over.
The child was hit at low speed and was not seriously injured.The child was hit at low speed and was not seriously injured.
Police say anything between two and 20 attackers beat Mr Morales after the driver stopped following the collision.Police say anything between two and 20 attackers beat Mr Morales after the driver stopped following the collision.
It is thought that up to 25 onlookers may have seen the fatal assault.It is thought that up to 25 onlookers may have seen the fatal assault.
Attack 'not racial'Attack 'not racial'
The incident happened as crowds gathered for the annual Juneteenth festival, which commemorates the freeing of American slaves.The incident happened as crowds gathered for the annual Juneteenth festival, which commemorates the freeing of American slaves.
Mr Morales' sister Margaret described his killing as a "nightmare".Mr Morales' sister Margaret described his killing as a "nightmare".
"You never think it could happen to you, that it would be one of your family members," she said."You never think it could happen to you, that it would be one of your family members," she said.
Police said that although Mr Morales was Hispanic and his attackers were black, they were not treating the assault as racially-motivated.Police said that although Mr Morales was Hispanic and his attackers were black, they were not treating the assault as racially-motivated.
There was no weapon, it appears he was beaten with hands and feet Commander Harold PiattAustin policeThere was no weapon, it appears he was beaten with hands and feet Commander Harold PiattAustin police
The car in which Mr Morales was a passenger had entered an apartment complex's parking lot when the child was knocked down.The car in which Mr Morales was a passenger had entered an apartment complex's parking lot when the child was knocked down.
Mr Morales was attacked as he went to the defence of the driver, who had emerged from the vehicle to check if the youngster had been seriously hurt. Mr Morales was taken to hospital but pronounced dead soon afterwards.Mr Morales was attacked as he went to the defence of the driver, who had emerged from the vehicle to check if the youngster had been seriously hurt. Mr Morales was taken to hospital but pronounced dead soon afterwards.
The driver was able to leave the scene in his car and is helping investigators.The driver was able to leave the scene in his car and is helping investigators.
The child hurt in the road accident - named by police a Michael Hosea Jr - was treated at an Austin hospital and released.The child hurt in the road accident - named by police a Michael Hosea Jr - was treated at an Austin hospital and released.
Appealing for witnesses, Commander Harold Piatt, of the Austin police homicide unit, said: "There was no weapon, it appears he was beaten with hands and feet."Appealing for witnesses, Commander Harold Piatt, of the Austin police homicide unit, said: "There was no weapon, it appears he was beaten with hands and feet."
"This wasn't a hate crime. This wasn't a racist crime. There is absolutely no reason to think that race had anything to do with this," he added."This wasn't a hate crime. This wasn't a racist crime. There is absolutely no reason to think that race had anything to do with this," he added.
Police originally estimated that up to 3,000 people had been in the area for the festival. But on Wednesday they said only 20 people had been nearby when the assault took place.Police originally estimated that up to 3,000 people had been in the area for the festival. But on Wednesday they said only 20 people had been nearby when the assault took place.