Anti-Semitic Attacker Pleads Guilty in Paintball Hit

Shashi Ramsaroop, 23, faces 60 days in county jail and two years’ probation when he’s sentenced April 1. Prosecutors say two alleged accomplices, Lindsey Peaks, 20, and Demetrius Latrell Torain, 19, may have charges against them dismissed, the Journal News reported.

All three were charged in the August hate-crime attack for firing paintballs from a passing car in Kaser, a small village near Monsey. Two Chaverim volunteers were standing beside a friend’s car late at night when a car with North Carolina plates drove up. Ramsaroop, who had a police record, pointed a rifle out the window and began firing as he and the other two accomplices yelled anti-Jewish epithets, according to witnesses.

Volunteer Yosef Margaretten suffered two burn marks from being struck in the stomach by the round plastic balls that typically explode and spread paint on impact. He was treated at Nyack Hospital and released.

The attack was totally unprovoked, police and witnesses said. The three had gone to Monsey “to shoot Jews,” according to police interviews of the suspects.

Prosecutors and the victim’s family said they were satisfied with the judgment.

“This case was discussed extensively with the victim,” said Rockland District Attorney Thomas Zugibe. “The jail sentence combined with probation sends a strong message.”

This article appeared in print on page 4 of the February 10th, 2014 edition of Hamodia.