Man ripped off postal woman's hijab before punching her in the face, police say
A man has been accused of a hate crime after he allegedly ripped off a woman's hijab before punching the postal worker in the face.
Kenneth Pinkney, 47, rode his bicycle past the victim, who was in a United States Postal Service (USPS) uniform, as she went to a home to deliver a parcel when the suspect "made his hand into the shape of a firearm, and made a shooting gesture”, according to police.
The incident, which occurred in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, escalated when Pinkney allegedly called her derogatory names and called for her "to go back to her own country." The woman reportedly tried to laugh off the comments but the suspect lept toward the postal worker, ripped off her hijab, and began to slap and punch her in the face.
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Kenneth Pinkney has been accused of a hate crime (Broward Sheriff's Office)The woman was left with blood injuries to her mouth and scratches to her face. As she tried to escape from Pinkney, she headed towards her UPS van, which caused her shirt to rip to free herself. She said she would call the police, which he also threatened.
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Authorities confirmed Pinkney was taken into custody that same day in front of his apartment. However, according to police, he was unable to provide details about the incident to officers “without losing track of his story.”
The suspect was being held at the North Broward Bureau on a $20,000 bond. He had previously been convicted of felony battery in 1996.
The attack comes after a Jewish man was believed to have died as the result of an alleged altercation with a pro-Palestinian protestor in California after he was pictured waving the flag of Israel moments before his fatal injury.
The USPS delivery worker was trying to escape the suspect (NurPhoto via Getty Images)Paul Kessler, 69, died in hospital yesterday after he was struck during an incident. Pictures showed him carrying an Israeli flag as a "proud Jew and proud Israel supporter," according to one of his friends. It has been reported he was struck by a megaphone, but the reports are unconfirmed. However, Kessler died after suffering what has been ruled as a homicide caused by a blunt-force head injury.
The incident in Thousand Oaks, Los Angeles, comes amid heightening tensions around the globe due to the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. A month ago today, Hamas brutally executed 1,400 people in depraved and barbaric attacks, prompting Israel to bombard the region with airstrikes that the Gaza Health Ministry says has killed over 10,000.
Officials have said members of both the Jewish and Muslim communities have suffered an increase in religion-based hate crimes. Currently, investigators with the Sheriff's Department said police had not ruled out a hate crime regarding Kessler, but no arrests have been made.
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