An anonymous witness who spoke to a local ABC affiliate said the suspect who allegedly struck a biker before stabbing him to death in Southern California last Wednesday muttered about “White privilege” during the incident.
The neighbor, who declined to be interviewed on camera, said she and her family heard what sounded like a gunshot before the attack against emergency room physician Michael Mammone, 58, and then heard the suspect issue the racial slur, according to ABC7.
Mammone was killed by a motorist in an attack in the coastal city of Dana Point while he was on an afternoon bicycle ride last week, according to authorities. The suspect, who also allegedly stabbed Mammone, was identified as 39-year-old Vanroy Evan Smith after being detained by bystanders and arrested on suspicion of murder.
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The Orange County Sheriff’s Department did not respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment by time of publication, but a spokesperson for the department told ABC7 that they had not been told of the racial slur allegation against Smith.
Sheriff’s Sgt. Michael Woodruff told the outlet that “as of right now, [there is] no known relationship” between Mammone and Smith and “no known motive.”
Providence Mission Hospital Laguna Beach, where Mammone had worked since 2011, said in a statement provided to Fox News Digital that it was “stunned by this devastating tragedy.”
“The entire Mission Hospital family is grieving over the loss of an incredible physician and friend,” the hospital said. “We will honor Dr. Mammone’s dedication to our community and passion for medicine by continuing to provide exceptional care.”
Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer also issued a statement following the incident. “An innocent man is dead because he took a bike ride to enjoy a beautiful California day along the beach, and he was hit with a car and stabbed to death by someone he…
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