Community activists gather in Houston to condemn 'knockout' game

Gathering follows after man charged with federal hate crime

HOUSTON – A group of community activists gathered Sunday afternoon in Houston to condemn the so-called "knockout game."

Conrad Barrett, 27, was charged this week with a federal hate crime and is accused of punching a 79-year-old man in an attack prosecutors said was racially motivated.

According to federal court documents, Barrett targeted the victim because he was black.

A group of community members held a press conference at Houston's Council of American Islamic Relations headquarters to address Barrett's recent arrest.

Deric Muhammad said the group wanted to send a strong message to all youth that random acts of violence will not be tolerated.

"It is the height of cowardice for you to hit somebody who is unsuspecting, who is not looking and who is an innocent pedestrian," said Muhammad. "You will not get away with this."