A hate crime and battery charge has been leveled against a 22-year-old man, identified as Marcus Harper, following a disturbing incident at a McDonald’s restaurant in Fremont, California. The event unfolded on April 5, when Harper is said to have approached a family of four, made racially offensive remarks, and physically assaulted the mother.
According to the Fremont Police Department, Harper approached the family around 2:15 p.m. while they were having their meal. He is reported to have taken food from their table and consumed it in their presence. After a brief departure from the table, Harper returned and is alleged to have slapped the mother in the face.
Subsequent to the assault, Harper is reported to have made a racially offensive comment, telling the family, “You Indians need to go back to your country.” He then allegedly hurled a sauce packet at one of the children, a 9-year-old girl, before exiting the restaurant.
The police were successful in obtaining an arrest warrant for Harper and found him in his vehicle near Marshlands Road and Thornton Avenue the following day. He was apprehended without any further incidents.
Local news outlet KRON reported that Harper did not dispute his actions when questioned by the police. He claimed that the father of the family gave him a “weird feeling” and that he had experienced a blackout during the alleged assault.
Alameda County District Attorney Ursula Jones Dickson expressed her condemnation of the incident in a statement to local Fox affiliate KTVU. She underscored that hate crimes based on perceived national origin are intolerable and will be prosecuted to the maximum extent of the law.
As of Wednesday, Harper was being detained at the Santa Rita Jail. The incident serves as a grim reminder of the ongoing issue of hate crimes in the United States, and the need for continued efforts to combat such behavior.