Driver Arrested After Attempting to Strike Running Club Members
Published on November 25, 2025
Driver Arrested After Attempting to Strike Running Club Members with SUV
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (November 25, 2025) – The West Palm Beach Police Department arrested an SUV driver who attempted to strike members of a local running club at a park, making multiple passes and driving recklessly before fleeing. Officers later located him in a downtown parking garage, where he was taken into custody without incident. He faces multiple charges.
The West Palm Beach Police Department responded to a park along the 1300 block of Parker Avenue around 8:20 p.m. Monday.
Upon arrival, officers met with members of a local LGBTQIA+ running club who reported an individual driving a Ford Bronco SUV had intentionally attempted to strike members of the group with his vehicle. According to witnesses, the driver accelerated toward the runners, making a second attempt to strike them, he then drove recklessly along sidewalks, through grass, and up an embankment before fleeing eastbound onto Okeechobee Boulevard.
Officers were advised to be on the lookout for an SUV matching the description. Shortly thereafter, a subject matching the suspect's description was seen pulling into a parking garage along the 700 block of North Dixie Highway and removing the vehicle’s license plate.
Officers responded, and the driver, identified as 43-year-old Ihab Mustafa El Mahmoud, was taken into custody without incident.
Further investigation determined that El Mahmoud became upset over a perceived comment by a male member of the running club, leading to his agitation and subsequent actions.
El Mahmoud has been charged with two counts of aggravated assault with intent to commit a felony under F.S.S. 784.021(1)(b) and one count of reckless driving under F.S.S. 316.192(1). His charges are being reviewed for potential enhancement under Florida’s hate crime statute, F.S.S. 775.085.
Case no.: 20250018248
###
Rachel Leitão
Public Information Officer
pdpio@wpb.org