ST. LOUIS, MO (July 16, 2024) — Robert Sanders, 41, pleaded guilty Tuesday to attempted first-degree assault and armed criminal action for trying to run over a man with his car because he thought the man was a Muslim.

On July 31, 2023, police answered a call for a reported hit-and-run at a U-Haul rental facility in the 4200 block of Gravois Avenue in the city’s Dutchtown neighborhood. When they arrived, officers found Camryn Tapia, 28, in the back of an ambulance. Tapia had been returning a rental truck and was walking across the parking lot when he heard the screech of tires and saw Sanders’ vehicle speeding toward him. Tapia tried to dive out of the way but was struck in the leg and suffered minor injuries. The incident was captured on video.

Police arrested Sanders a few blocks away in the same car used in the attempted assault. Sanders told police he believed Muslims were going to blow up the U-Haul building and that he was trying to save himself and others by running down Tapia, who he thought “looked like a Muslim.” Tapia and Sanders had never met.

“Hate crimes will not be tolerated, period,” said Circuit Attorney Gabe Gore. “This attack on an innocent stranger, motivated by prejudice, is inexcusable.”

The case was prosecuted by Assistant Circuit Attorneys Grant Simon and Rachel Morgan. Sanders was sentenced to 10 years in the Missouri Department of Corrections for the attempted assault and three years for armed criminal action.

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