Family racially attacked while looking at home for sale in Millington, police say

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A navy veteran is accused of yelling racial slurs at a family and threatening their lives while they were viewing a home in Millington.

David Collins, 50, is charged with attempted aggravated burglary and civil rights intimidation. His bond has not yet been set.

On April 30, a family of three, a dad, mom, and a child, went to view a home in the 7200 block of Baker Street in Millington. While the family was inside, David Collins allegedly began beating and kicking on the front door trying to get in.

John Dehoff who lives next door to the vacant home the family was touring says he heard Collins yelling.

“He was beating and yelling and screaming,” Dehoff said. “I was inside watching TV and I heard it over that.”

Collins reportedly yelled several racial slurs at the family. Records show that one of the victims was African American and the other two were Asian.

He also threatened to kill them, saying they wouldn’t make it out of the house alive.

Dehoff says he immediately went outside to help.

“The daddy was scared for his wife and daughter which is normal,” Dehoff said. “I stayed here with the girl, mama, and daddy until the police came.”

According to reports, Collins claimed he was going to burn the house down with them inside. The victims were in extreme fear of their lives and afraid to try to leave the home.

Collins then stated he was going home to get something to “take care” of the victims, police say.

He then reportedly jumped the fence and began kicking on the home’s back glass door to try to get in again.

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“He thought that they were illegal Aliens,” Dehoff said. “This ain’t the first time. It’s not a black or white garbage. He just has problems comprehending who people are.”

Dehoff says that Collins does not represent the neighborhood and any family is welcome.

“I gave them my phone number and if anything happens call me I will be right over,” he said.

While Collins was in court Friday morning, he asked for a public defender. He has a bail review hearing scheduled for Monday.

Back in April, Collins was pulled over twice and charged with driving under the influence, reckless driving, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

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