Attack suspect ‘is a danger,’ victim says

The 29-year-old University of Hawaii graduate student who was attacked this week by a man out on bail for attempting to set another man on fire is fearful that the suspect will do more harm to others if he is allowed to go free again while awaiting trial.

Maseeh Ganjali said he was attacked by Jamal Morris, 24, after giving him a ride from the mosque in Manoa Valley Wednesday afternoon.

Ganjali said he is fearful that Morris has an "agenda" and has been threatening other members in the Muslim community. But Morris could be a danger to anyone living in the Manoa-McCully area, Ganjali added.

"He (Morris) is a danger," Ganjali said. "He’s a danger to a lot of people in this very fragile and small Muslim community.

"If this guy gets out again, he can do some serious damage to others."

Ganjali said he is still shocked by the attack he suffered from someone with whom he was acquainted.

But he said he’s also angry about not being assured by authorities that Morris will stay locked up.

He said Morris mentioned to him the names of others from the mosque whom he is targeting.

"He has people he’s going after and he’s actively pursuing that goal. He’s going to the places that they eat in. He’s going to the places they work in," Ganjali said.

Morris, who lives on Alexander Street in McCully, was out on $2,000 bail after allegedly dousing a 37-year-old man with a flammable fluid and trying to ignite it with a lighter at a McCully restaurant May 11. The victim did not require medical treatment, and told police he did not know why Morris attacked him.

Morris was supposed to be in Hono­lulu District Court at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday for arraignment on charges of second-degree terroristic threatening in the incident. But he failed to show up, so his bail was revoked and a bench warrant was issued for his arrest.

Morris was arrested on suspicion of third-degree assault at 1:45 p.m. Wednesday for the attack on Ganjali.

On Friday, police said Morris was in custody at the Queen’s Medical Center while the investigation into Wednesday’s attack continues.

Ganjali said Morris knew the victim in the May 11 attack at the Da Spot restaurant on South King Street where Morris once worked. "They are good friends," Ganjali said.

Ganjali said he has been away from the islands for the past 31⁄2 years, and that was the last time he had seen Morris until Wednesday afternoon. He returned to Oahu to begin work on a master of fine arts degree this fall.

Ganjali said Morris asked him for a ride at the mosque on Wednesday, saying he wanted to go to Da Spot.

Ganjali said he wasn’t aware that Morris had been accused of an attack just days before at the restaurant.

"He has always been nice. He had never confronted anyone before then. So, I thought there was no harm in giving him a ride."

Ganjali said he was trying to find a parking space on University Avenue near the FedEx store where he works when Morris suddenly grabbed him.

"I didn’t know what was going on," Ganjali said. "He put his finger into my right eye.

"Then I realized this was not a joke. He was trying to take out my eye. He was shouting; calling me the Antichrist. Cursing me out loud."

Ganjali said the engine of his truck was still running and he couldn’t move because of his seat belt.

"He was biting me on the face and hitting me at the same time," Ganjali added.

Ganjali said the confrontation lasted at least 10 minutes and he is surprised no one walking or driving past the nearby Moiliili Hongwanji Mission came to his aid.

"There were so many people walking and driving by who just looked and walked away."

Ganjali said at some point he must have fallen out of the truck onto the street, and Morris got out and continued beating him.

Ganjali said he tried to reach the median while still covering his right eye with his right hand.

Eventually, he said he made it across University Avenue and took refuge in a secured building, where he got someone to call the police.

After being treated at the emergency room at the Queen’s Medical Center, Ganjali said doctors were able to save his right eye. "But my face still hurts so much."

Ganjali said Morris’ brother, mother and other acquaintances can’t believe what has occurred.

"But he (Morris) has an agenda. He has been going to specific places seeking people he knows," Ganjali added.

"No one can believe he has turned into someone like this. This guy, in the state that he is, can do damage. He needs help."

Ganjali said Morris should have been charged with something more than just a minor assault. "Assault 3 is just pushing someone," Ganjali added. "He’s dangerous. He’s been making terroristic threats."

Ganjali said he shudders to think if Morris had attacked someone smaller like a child.

A witness to the incident at Da Spot restaurant last weekend said she heard Morris say, "I got you. I’m going to kill you," a police affidavit filed in District Court said.

A witness told police that Morris said, "I’m gonna get you on fire" as he tried to light the liquid with a lighter.