A California man was charged with a hate crime and battery after allegedly slapping a woman, throwing sauce on her child and yelling racist remarks inside a local McDonald's.
The incident occurred at around 2:15 p.m. on April 5 at a McDonald's in Fremont, where a woman and her family — including her 9-year-old daughter — were dining when they were reportedly confronted by Marcus Harper, KRON 4 reported.
Harper, 22, acted without provocation, allegedly targeting the family with physical violence and racial abuse, according to police and prosecutors.
The man reportedly stole french fries from the family's tray, then returned moments later to slap the 36-year-old mother, hurl a packet of sauce at her daughter and tell them, "You Indians need to go back to your country," according to court documents obtained by KRON 4.
Surveillance footage helped police identify Harper, and he was arrested in Newark on April 15. During questioning, Harper reportedly said he "blacked out" during the attack and claimed that the woman's husband had somehow signaled him to act, the documents stated.
Harper was formally charged on April 16 by the Alameda County District Attorney with committing a hate crime and battery. He remains in custody at Santa Rita Jail with bail set at $110,000.
Originally published on Latin Times
