Jennifer Guilbeault, 23, has been indicted on multiple charges, including assault as a hate crime, after allegedly pepper-spraying her Uber driver, Shohel Mahmud, during a ride in New York City.
The incident, described by prosecutors as an “anti-Muslim attack,” took place in the early hours of July 31, 2024.
According to the Manhattan District Attorney’s office, Guilbeault and a friend were picked up by Mahmud around 12:15 a.m.
As the driver paused at a red light near East 65th Street and Lexington Avenue, he reportedly prayed in Arabic.
It was then that Guilbeault lunged from the backseat and sprayed Mahmud directly in the face with pepper spray.
Mahmud, 45, experienced severe discomfort, including burning and redness, prompting him to call 911 shortly after the attack.
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Video footage captured the moment, showing Guilbeault aggressively spraying Mahmud while her friend appeared to react in shock.
In the aftermath, Mahmud, who described the incident as shocking, had to stop driving for about two months due to the injuries he sustained.
“I take my buckle off, close my eyes, and get out… I realized my car was still running,” he recounted.
District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr. condemned the attack, emphasizing that no one should face hate because of their identity.
Guilbeault has pleaded not guilty to the charges and was released from custody. She is scheduled to return to court in January.
