PORTAGE, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – A physical and verbal assault on a Federal Express driver has sparked allegations that not enough is being done to investigate what may be a hate crime in Portage.
Delivery driver Tirell Lipsey, his mother, and several members of ISAAC took their complaint to the Portage City Council last night.
The incident happened on August 28 on Bruning Street.
They want to know why the man shown in a FedEx security video punching Lipsey while slingling racial slurs is not in custody and facing charges.
Another video shows the suspect following Lipsey, removing packages from porches after the incident.
Lipsey, a Marine Reservist, admitted that he didn’t initially press charges, but was later convinced by his mother that he should.
Portage Police Chief Nick Armold defended his staff, saying they sent their investigation file to the prosecutor a week ago, asking for multiple charges, including racial intimidation, attempted assault and several property crimes.
He says the suspect was not arrested because of possible mental and medical issues but he was taken to the hospital for evaluation, and later released.
