FRENCHTOWN TWP. (WWJ/AP) - A man is accused of hitting another man in the face with a bicycle chain in what authorities allege was a racially motivated assault at a southeastern Michigan beach.
The Monroe News reports that 42-year-old Lee James Mouat Jr., of Newport, Michigan, remains jailed on charges of felony assault and ethnic intimidation.
According to the Monroe County Sheriff's office, the assault happened after a group of white people and a group of black people exchanged words Saturday as they were swimming at Sterling State Park in Frenchtown Township.
During the argument, Major Jeff Kemp says Mouat, who is white, got a bike locking device out of his car and then used a racial slur before hitting the victim, who is black, with the chain.
The newspaper reported the victim, identified as an 18-year-old Monroe man, suffered serious facial injuries during the assault. The teen was hospitalized, officials said, but the injuries were not believed to be life-threatening.
Bond for Kemp was set at $100,000 at a hearing over the weekend. Kemp remained jailed Monday awaiting a formal arraignment on the charges set for Tuesday morning before First District Judge Michael C. Brown.