IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) - Police in Iowa City arrested Thursday a man accused of assaulting a Black woman while directing racial slurs at her.
Officers were called at about 3 a.m. to Cross Park Place, a building which houses people experiencing chronic homelessness, the Iowa City Press-Citizen reported.
Police were told an intoxicated resident was refusing to leave the lobby and was being “verbally abuse and racist” toward an employee.
Responding officers found Ronal Rarey, 68, assaulting the woman while armed with a knife, police said in a news release.
The victim was treated at the scene for “superficial injuries to her hands.” Rarey was transported to the jail after also being treated at the scene.
He faces charges of assault while displaying a dangerous weapon, carrying weapons, possession of a dangerous weapon while under the influence, and interference with official acts, according to the news release,
Rarey carried the seven-inch knife under his shirt, attached to a belt, according to a complaint. Police say he has a history of “knife attacks based on or related to race.”
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