Mayor Johnson’s statement on the Dallas Police Department’s investigation of potential hate crimes

DALLAS — Mayor Eric Johnson released the following statement Friday after Police Chief Eddie Garcia announced the investigation of potential hate crimes in the city:

“The possibility that we are dealing with a violent gunman who is motivated by hate is chilling and deeply disturbing. I am grateful to Police Chief Eddie Garcia and the Dallas Police Department for their work investigating these cases. And I want our city’s Asian American community — which has appallingly faced increasing vitriol in recent years — to know that the City of Dallas and the people of Dallas stand with them. Hate has no place in our city. This gunman must be arrested swiftly and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. I encourage anyone with any information on these crimes to contact the Dallas Police Department immediately and to work with us to stop these senseless acts of violence.”

In addition, the Mayor’s Anti-Hate Advisory Council released the following statement:

“We offer our unwavering support to all the individuals impacted by this act of hate and stand in solidarity with the Asian American community. We will continue to work alongside Mayor Eric Johnson, the Dallas Police Department, the FBI, and neighboring law enforcement agencies to hold anyone associated with these acts accountable. Each of us is responsible for watching out for one another — and for contacting our local police department to report any potential acts of hate. We must work together to eradicate hate from our community.”