Madness in March

While stationed in Germany, he was deployed for 11 months to Afghanistan, returning to Germany in November 2011. He left the Army the following August. A military spokeswoman said she could not release the condition of his discharge because it was protected under federal privacy law.

The attack on Mr. Caughman occurred as cities across the country, especially New York, grapple with a rise in hate crimes. Mayor Bill de Blasio, who has condemned the attacks, denounced the killing, which he said appeared to be based solely on Mr. Caughman’s race.

“More than an unspeakable human tragedy, this is an assault on what makes this the greatest city in the world: our inclusiveness and our diversity,” he said.

On Thursday, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said he was appalled by Mr. Caughman’s murder.

“Let me be very clear: This disturbing act of violence goes against everything New York stands for,” he said. “Not only must we repudiate this attack, but we must continue to deny that the ideas behind this cowardly crime have any place in democratic society.”

Article