A Clemson alumnus and news reporter for KKCO-TV was attacked on Dec. 18, 2024, by a Colorado man outside of the station’s building located in Grand Junction, Colorado.
Ja’Ronn Alex graduated from Clemson University in December 2023 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. While at Clemson, he was a part of Tiger Media through Tigervision, Clemson’s student-run TV station, according to Wanda Johnson-Stokes, the director of student media. He has been employed by Gray Television, the company that owns KKCO-TV, since January 2024.
Alex is a native of Detroit, Michigan, and is of Pacific Islander descent, which he believes is the reason for this targeted attack, he later told police.
Criminal court documents show the attacker, 39-year-old Patrick Thomas Egan, shouting, “This is Trump’s America now!” during the incident, sparking questions of political motivation following Donald Trump’s victory in the 2024 presidential election.
Trump’s campaign focused heavily on strict immigration policy and included a strong anti-immigration sentiment. The former president’s election win was certified by Congress on Jan. 6, and he will be inaugurated on Jan. 20.
Egan was arrested on Dec. 18, 2024, in Grand Junction, Colorado, under suspicion of bias-motivated crimes, second-degree assault and harassment.
Alex told investigators he was working in the field when a Sunshine Rides taxi began following him. The driver inside, Egan, began shouting aggressive and xenophobic remarks while in pursuit of Alex.
The alleged remarks consisted of comments such as, “This is Trump’s America now!” and “I’m a Marine and I took an oath to protect this country from people like you” and “Are you even a U.S. citizen?”
Amid concerns for Alex’s safety, his manager instructed him to return to the station to escape Egan as soon as possible, as stated in the affidavit.
Egan followed Alex’s vehicle for about 40 miles before reaching the KKCO-TV station.
As Alex approached the building’s front door on foot, Egan chased after him and demanded to see his identification to determine whether or not Alex was an American citizen.
Egan then tackled Alex, put him in a chokehold and “began to strangle him,” according to the affidavit. Several of Alex’s coworkers rushed out of the building to help stop the attack by pulling Egan’s arms from Alex’s neck and holding him to the ground until law enforcement officials arrived.
Several witnesses spoke to police, stating that Alex appeared to be losing his ability to breathe while stuck in the chokehold. According to the affidavit, the attack was partially captured on surveillance video and lasted anywhere between 45 and 90 seconds.
The judge overseeing the case refused to lower Egan’s $20,000 bail and noted concern for the safety of the Grand Junction community.
The judge stated that Egan has a criminal legal record in California, citing several other crimes and offenses similar to his attack on Alex.
The general manager of Sunshine Rides, Kelly Millan, published the following statement after KKCO reached out to the company:
“This type of behavior has no place in our society and I strongly condemn it. I deeply regret the harm and disruption this has caused the victim, his family and co-workers. Sunshine Rides has suspended Egan pending a full investigation, will assist law enforcement and will use this incident to re-emphasize our core values and expectations with our entire team.”
Egan is still held in the Mesa County Jail and is eligible to post bond. A protection order is also in place, restricting Egan from coming within 100 yards of Alex.
Egan is scheduled to appear back in court on Jan. 16.
