Man accused of assault, crash at Bay Area Islamic center

Novato police arrested a suspect who allegedly crashed his vehicle into a building at the Islamic Center of North Marin and then assaulted a member.

The incident happened at about 11:30 a.m. Friday at the center, which is on the Redwood Boulevard frontage road, according to the Novato Police Department.

“A patrol officer was checking the area and speaking to a witness when he heard what sounded like a vehicle collision at the Islamic Center of North Marin,” the department said in a statement. “The officer ran to investigate and saw a man getting out of the driver’s seat of a vehicle that had impacted an outbuilding on the property.”

“The man forcefully opened the building door, made incoherent statements, and immediately began physically attacking a mosque member,” the department said. “The officer quickly intervened, stopped the attack, and detained the suspect.”

The member suffered minor injuries and was transported to a hospital.

David Ryan Slattery, 33, of Novato was arrested on suspicion of assault, burglary, and vandalism. He was booked into the Marin County Jail, where his bail was set at $50,000.

Novato police Lt. Alan Bates said there is no evidence that the case constitutes a hate crime.

The Marin County District Attorney’s Office was still reviewing the case for potential charges Monday, a spokesperson said.

The Islamic Center of North Marin could not be reached for comment Monday.

An assault also occurred at the Islamic center in March 2024. David Jonathan Margoliash entered the site and pepper sprayed a member who attempted to detain him because he thought Margoliash had a gun, police said.

Margoliash pleaded guilty to a tear gas charge and is waiting to be sentenced. Authorities did not allege a hate crime.