The Monroe County prosecutor says when her office receives the DNR’s report into an incident last weekend near Lake Monroe involving local Black activist Vauhxx Booker and a group of White men it will “expeditiously review” it.
READ MORE: DNR Investigating After Black Man Reports Racist Assault At Lake Monroe
“Since the initial response, IDNR Law Enforcement has been working diligently to complete the investigation. During this time, the Prosecutor’s Office has been in consultation with the investigators, providing assistance where appropriate,” prosecuting attorney Erika Oliphant wrote in a statement. “However, the Prosecutor’s Office does not direct the actions of IDNR Law Enforcement officers.”
Oliphant said the investigation is not taking an unusually long amount of time thus far. The incident happened on July 4.
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Booker’s attorney Kitty Liell told WFIU/WTIU News earlier this week she wanted arrests to happen this week.
“Everyday that those people are still free, is a bad day for Vauhxx Booker and a bad day for everyone in our community and the justice that we are seeking on behalf of Vauhxx,” Liell said. “We're all concerned about this, and not just for the safety of Vauhxx, but for every person of color, every marginalized person. Everyone who is a target of hate these days should be scared as long as people like that remain free.”
Booker says the men pinned him against a tree, shouted racial slurs and one of them threatened to “get a noose.” Part of the assault was captured on cellphone video.
Oliphant says her office cannot speculate on any charges that will be made involving the incident.
“The decision to bring formal criminal charges rests solely with the Prosecutor’s Office. However, in order to make a filing decision, the Prosecutor’s Office must receive a full and complete investigative report from law enforcement,” Oliphant said in the statement.
The FBI is also investigating the reported assault.
READ MORE: FBI Investigating Lake Monroe Incident As Possible Hate Crime
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
