Alabama Father Fatally ‘Beaten and Struck From Behind’ in Alleged Hate Crime

Editor’s Note: This post has been updated with additional comments from the deceased’s sister, Sandy Douangkeo.

An Alabama man described by loved ones as the “kindest, sweetest person anyone would meet” has died after sustaining injuries in an alleged hate crime last month.

Dy Douangkeo, who leaves behind two children, reportedly managed to tell his side of the story before losing consciousness and passing away on the morning of March 15.

In a GoFundMe page set up for his autopsy, his sister, Sandy Douangkeo, shared his account of the events of that morning, which the family believes to be “foul play.”

“A hate crime has taken away our kind friend, son, brother, and father from us unfairly, and too soon,” Sandy wrote. “We believe his death was due to foul play. The investigation is still ongoing and we just want justice for his sudden and unfair death.”

Dy was reportedly on his way home from his brother’s house to pick up his truck when a male neighbor stopped him for unknown reasons. He got out of his vehicle to find out why his neighbor was “provoking” him.

The encounter reportedly turned violent.

“He was bitten in the arm and struck in the back near the neck with some object,” Sandy told NextShark. “We saw the bite on his arm but we did not see his back because he had a short sleeve on.”

The dirt road where the altercation allegedly took place. Video via Sandy Douangkeo

Still, Dy managed to return home to tell his family about it.

“Dy said there was a guy new to the neighborhood who provoked him while he was driving home to his house,” Sandy noted. “He told his mom about the incident and told her and his kids that he loved them, as if he knew he wasn’t going to make it. He left the house to go back to his brother’s house to tell his brother about the incident.”

While recounting the incident, Dy reportedly kept saying that “he didn’t understand why they had hate for him and why they were attacking him when he didn’t even know them.” It’s unclear where the unidentified neighbor had moved from.

Dy soon felt sick and lost consciousness.

“As he was telling his story, Dy started to feel dizzy and had difficulty breathing. He told his brother he didn’t feel well before losing consciousness,” Sandy wrote about Dy’s childhood friend, Khou, whom the family treats like a brother. “His brother tried to wake him up but he was unresponsive so his brother called the paramedics but had to wait 30 minutes for them to arrive.”

Unfortunately, the father of two did not make it.

“We believe Dy went into cardiac arrest because of this altercation and his brother tried to perform CPR until the paramedics arrived. But when the paramedics arrived to try to revive him, it was too late.”

Sandy managed to raise at least $6,800 for Dy’s autopsy, the excess of which will be used for legal fees and support for his children. The family is still accepting donations.

“Dy is the kindest, sweetest person anyone would meet. He was always making sure everyone was fed. We know in our hearts he would never start an altercation like this and we believe this was all due to hate,” Sandy noted. “We need everyone’s help to prove that there is still justice in this world by helping his family find closure with his death.”

Dy’s wake was held on March 21 in Tanner Williams Road, Mobile. His funeral was held the next day.

The family is now waiting for updates from the Mobile Police Department (MPD). “We have not heard from them since the incident. The case has not been closed at the moment. We are not able to receive the pictures of body and we want closure,” Sandy told NextShark.

On the other hand, MPD Public Affairs Manager Charlette Solis told NextShark that the case is not being investigated as a hate crime. The department is still waiting on the autopsy results but will inform NextShark of any updates.

The incident details on his death investigation read as follows:

“On Sunday, March 15, 2020 at approximately 11:05 a.m., police were dispatched to Springhill Medical Center in reference to one deceased. Upon arrival, officers learned that earlier in the day the 32-year-old deceased male had gotten into a physical altercation with a man at the 7200 block of Foxland Drive. He then drove to several locations prior to passing out and being transported to the hospital from the 9000 block of Boe Road. There were no signs of trauma to his body. An autopsy will be performed to determine the cause of death.”

Feature Image via Sandy Douangkeo

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