The Orange County Criminal Lawyer Blog
A Florida woman is accused of attacking a teenager inside a Target store after allegedly becoming enraged because he was Jewish.
According to a criminal complaint, the incident happened in the store’s Starbucks seating area. The police said the 43-year-old woman was sitting at a table when the teen arrived and sat on the other side of the seating area.
The woman allegedly got up and began yelling before approaching the teen and reportedly hitting him twice with her cellphone. According to police, the teen was struck once on the left side of his head and once on his shoulder.
After the alleged attack, the woman returned to her table.
The authorities said that after a while she got up again, grabbed a metal chair and approached the teen with it raised as if she intended to strike him. A witness told the police the woman repeatedly shouted, “I hate them” as she approached.
The alleged victim was wearing a yarmulke at the time, according to the complaint.
Witnesses stepped in and stopped the woman before she could allegedly hit him with the chair. According to reports, the teen ran into the men’s restroom because he feared she would continue the attack.
The situation disturbed the customers, and Target employees were forced to temporarily close the store while dealing with the situation.
The woman allegedly returned to her table after the incident and continued sitting there until officers arrived. She was arrested and charged with battery, disorderly conduct, and aggravated assault with prejudice.
During a bond hearing, the judge ordered her not to return to the Target location under any circumstances. At the time this was written, she was being held on a $12,750 bond.
If you or someone you love is suspected of an assault or battery offense, contact Orange County criminal defense lawyer Staycie R. Sena at (949) 477-8088 for a consultation now.