A Florida man is facing hate crime charges for allegedly ripping off a postal worker’s hijab, physically assaulting her and making a hand motion to indicate he was shooting her, according to multiple reports.
Jail records show Kenneth Jerome Pinkney was arrested on Oct. 24, the day of the alleged incident. Pinkney, 47, was on his bike as he passed a United States Postal Service employee and “made his hand in the shape of a firearm, and made a shooting gesture,” then called her abusive names and told her to “go back to her country ” according to an affidavit obtained by Local 10 and CNN.
He faces one count of battery and two counts of “prejudicing evidence,” court records show.
The woman, who has not been publicly identified, initially tried to laugh it off when Pinkney made a shooting motion, according to Local 10, CNN and NBC Miami. Then he approached her and hit her in the face with his fists and slaps, causing blood to flow from her mouth.
She tried to get back into the truck, but Pinkney pulled her by the leg, and she broke free, ripping his shirt, the media reported. When she threatened to call the police, he said he would do the same.
A judge ordered Pinkney to undergo a mental health evaluation, according to court documents.
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The alleged attack comes amid a spike in hate crimes during the war between Israel and Hamas in the Middle East, according to the Department of Homeland Security, which cited an increase in hate crimes against Arabs, Muslims and Jews, ABC News reported.
In response to the allegations, the Florida chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations said it “welcomes” the hate crime allegations.
“We will ensure that this and any other cases are followed up to ensure that they are prosecuted to the fullest extent possible to deter others from engaging in this criminal anti-social behavior targeting anyone, regardless of their race or religion,” the organization said in Statement.
It was not immediately clear whether Pinkney had entered a guilty plea. The defense attorney named in the court documents did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
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Source: HIS Education