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Man Screams "How Do You Feel About ISIS?" During Anti-Muslim Assault In Herald Square
By
Lauren Evans
Published Dec 11, 2015
Modified Dec 11, 2015
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By
Lauren Evans
Published Dec 11, 2015
Modified Dec 11, 2015
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An unhinged man allegedly attacked an employee at a Herald Square eatery Monday night after unleashing a torrent of anti-Muslim venom, a tirade which was apparently sparked because he didn't get his French fries.
According to the Daily News, 26-year-old Robert Murino walked into Salt & Pepper on West 33rd Street and ordered a slice of pizza, but not without also shouting questions at the store's employees about whether they were Muslim.
One employee, Lina Parvin, said Murino seemed drunk. “He came up to me and ordered a slice of pizza. He was swaying, I thought he was drunk. I gave him the pizza and we went to sit down,” she told the tabloid. “Then he comes up to me yelling, 'Where are my fries? Where are my fries?' I told him I didn't charge him for fries but he kept yelling, 'You fucking lady, give me my fries. Lady, I'm going to fuck you up."
He then allegedly directed his ire at two other customers before shouting at Tahir Mahood, another employee. "Why don't you tell me your religion?" he allegedly shouted, and "How do you feel about ISIS?" When Mahood attempted to calm Murino down, he allegedly slapped him.
Murino was escorted out of the store, but police say he returned in order to smash two glass partitions with a chair. Cops arrested him at another nearby restaurant a short time later.
Murino has been charged with criminal mischief as a hate crime and attempted assault as a hate crime. He's got one other arrest under his belt for disorderly conduct and resisting arrest in 2008.
Monday's incident is just one in a series of anti-Muslim crimes. The News also notes that on Wednesday, a 21-year-old woman was waiting for a bus in Bay Ridge when a man approached her. “I can’t wait for the U.S. to get rid of you trash,” he allegedly said before kicking her.
On Saturday, the owner of a food mart in Astoria was assaulted and punched in the face by a man screaming that he was going to "kill Muslims."
Donald Trump, the GOP's leading presidential candidate, has also proposed a ban on Muslims entering the United States "until our country's representatives can figure out what is going on."
Tagged
assault
hate crime
muslim
muslim americans
Lauren Evans
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