Woman Pepper Sprayed Muslim Driver After He Said Prayer in Arabic at Red Light: DA

An Uber passenger has been indicted on hate crime charges after she allegedly pepper-sprayed her driver in what prosecutors are calling an “anti-Muslim attack” that occurred earlier this year in New York City.

Jennifer Guilbeault, 23, was indicted by a New York State Supreme Court grand jury on one count each of second-degree assault as a hate crime, third-degree assault as a hate crime and second-degree aggravated harassment, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr. said in a press release shared on Monday, Oct. 28.

Guilbeault is accused of pepper-spraying her 45-year-old driver, who picked her and a friend up at about 12:15 a.m. on July 31. The alleged attack occurred after he prayed in Arabic at a stop light on the city’s Upper East Side. Guilbeault allegedly lunged forward from the back seat and sprayed the driver in the face, per the release.

The district attorney’s office said the driver experienced “burning, redness and pain” and called 911 after a few minutes. Guilbeault was arrested at the scene.

The alleged attack was caught on video footage. According to The New York Times, the footage shows Guilbeault violently grabbing the driver and spraying the can of pepper spray as the suspect’s friend has her hand over her mouth.

The driver, who has since been identified as Shohel Mahmud, previously spoke with ABC 7 NY about the moments after he was sprayed.

“I’m kind of hanging out of the car, so I take my buckle off, close my eyes, and get out and then I realized my car was still running,” he said, per the outlet. “I jumped in and put it in park and got out.”

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The Times reported that Mahmud said the injuries prevented him from driving for about two months.

“The victim is a hardworking New Yorker who should not have to face this type of hate because of his identity,” District Attorney Bragg said in the release. “Everyone is welcome to live and work in Manhattan, and our Hate Crimes Unit will continue to address bias-motivated attacks by thoroughly investigating and prosecuting cases, conducting community outreach, and supporting victims.”  

According to The Times, Guilbeault has pleaded not guilty and was released from custody. She is expected back in court in January, the outlet reported. PEOPLE reached out to her attorney but did not hear back in time for publication.