A 56-year-old Hudson man has been found guilty of shouting a racial slur at a 34-year-old Black man before striking him with his truck, running him over and killing him in a Belmont neighborhood.

Dean Kapsalis was convicted on Monday for the racially motivated murder of Henry Tapia.

Kapsalis was found guilty of second-degree murder, violation of constitutional rights causing serious bodily injury, assault and battery by means of dangerous weapon (motor vehicle) causing serious bodily injury, and leaving the scene after causing injury.

On Jan. 19, 2021 in the late afternoon, the Hudson man shouted a racial slur at Tapia before hitting him with his Dodge Dakota truck, running him over and killing him on a residential street in Belmont.

“The murder of Henry Tapia is a senseless tragedy fueled by hate and anger,” Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan said. “The fact that some of the last words Henry Tapia heard were a horrific racial insult meant to intimidate and threaten him based on the color of his skin is something we cannot tolerate.”

Belmont Police on Jan. 19 received a 911 call reporting that a man had been struck by a car in the area of 39-45 Upland Road. Police immediately responded and found Tapia conscious but suffering from life-threatening injuries.

First responders provided emergency aid until Belmont Rescue arrived. Tapia was transported from the scene to Massachusetts General Hospital, where he later died.

The police investigation revealed that Kapsalis and Tapia had been arguing in the roadway. That argument wound down, but as Tapia began to walk back toward his car, Kapsalis hurled a racial slur at him — and then got into his Dodge Dakota pickup truck and drove it at Tapia.

Kapsalis struck Tapia and dragged him a short distance before Kapsalis fled the scene. He later turned himself in to police.

At trial, his defense attorney argued that Tapia’s death was an accident.

“What is significant about today’s verdict is that when we have incidents in Middlesex County motivated by bigotry and racism, that hatred will not be treated as a background fact,” the DA said. “It will be charged and prosecuted separately.

“Although nothing that happens in court can return Mr. Tapia to his grieving family, today’s convictions send a strong signal that those who commit hate fueled violence in this county will be held fully accountable,” Ryan added.

Over the last five years, incidents of hate and bias have become more prevalent in Massachusetts.