A county official in San Diego claims that she was so upset by a shooting at a mosque in the city last month that she unintentionally murdered a prospective bride in a terrifying hit-and-run.
At her arraignment on Monday, Assmaa Elayyat entered a not guilty plea to counts of vehicular manslaughter. The prosecution said that on May 22, she ran over 27-year-old Katie Osorio at a bus stop.
Three days after two teens opened fire at the Islamic Center of San Diego, murdering three people before turning their rifles on themselves, the tragedy took place.
According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, Elayyat allegedly rushed her vehicle through a bus stop. Prosecutors claimed that she told officers following the collision that she was heartbroken by the shooting at the time.
According to the prosecution, she allegedly struck the bus stop with such force that her car became caught in a tree, and then she nearly ran Osorio over again while attempting to release her car.
Elayyat “knew that she struck something and even pulled over after the collision to confirm that there was extensive damage to her car,” according to Hailey Williams, the district deputy attorney for San Diego County.
After being taken to a local hospital, Osorio eventually passed away from her wounds.
An attorney representing Elayyat, a deputy director of the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency, stated at her arraignment that she was experiencing “stress and emotions” as a result of the shooting.
On May 22, Katie Osorio, 27, was sadly killed in an accused hit-and-run at a San Diego bus stop.
When questioned about the alleged hit-and-run, Assmaa Elayyat, deputy director of the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency, told investigators that she was heartbroken by a shooting at a mosque in the city.
According to the prosecution, Elayyat allegedly drove her car through a bus stop with such force that it became trapped in a tree and then nearly ran Osorio over again while attempting to extricate her vehicle.
Williams claimed that after Elayyat reversed her car from the tree, she attempted to escape the scene despite the serious collision.
The prosecutor stated, “She decided that she needed to get herself home to safety rather than return to the scene or take responsibility for her actions.”
Police utilized license plate readers to locate Elayyat shortly after the collision, but she allegedly attempted to flee again.
Elayyat attempted to drive away from the police, according to the prosecution, but she ultimately turned herself in.
She allegedly said she “could not recall the collision, but admitted she may have struck a sign” when questioned by the police.
At her arraignment this week, Osorio’s family members criticized her stated statement that she was deeply distressed over the mosque shooting.
Dulce Amaya, Osorio’s aunt, told the Union-Tribune, “To use a tragic event as an excuse… people lost their lives at the mosque.”
To keep herself at home by using that justification… Katie is not going to return home.
According to Osorio’s relatives, the 27-year-old “worked tirelessly to support her mother in Mexico” and managed a business in addition to working two jobs to provide for her family.
In a heartfelt homage, Osorio’s family noted that “everyone who knew her was touched by her determination, strength, and love for her family.”
According to court documents referenced by the New York Post, Elayyat was previously found guilty of a misdemeanor DUI in San Bernadino County, thus the collision was not his first run-in with the law.
According to a GoFundMe page created by Osorio’s family, the 27-year-old “worked tirelessly to support her mother in Mexico” and managed a business in addition to working two jobs to provide for her family.
The family noted, “Everyone who knew her was touched by her determination, strength, and love for her family.”
They said that she “fought bravely to stay alive, but sadly, she passed away” after the suspected hit-and-run.
“We are doing everything we can to honor her memory and support her loved ones during this heartbreaking time. Our family is devastated by this sudden loss.”
“Our hearts go out to the family, friends, and all who are grieving during this incredibly difficult time,” read a statement from San Diego County, where Elayyat has been employed since 2020.
If found guilty of vehicular manslaughter with specific accusations of gross negligence, Elayyat could spend up to 11 years in prison.
