Woman Faces Hate Crime Charges in Assault on Palestinian Man, Pregnant Wife at Downers Grove Panera
Incident Allegedly Involves Racist Slurs and Physical Assault
A 64-year-old woman, Alexandra Szustakiewicz, has been charged with hate crime counts and disorderly conduct after allegedly berating a man wearing a hoodie with the word “Palestine” on it at a Downers Grove Panera restaurant.
Details of the Incident
According to police, Szustakiewicz confronted the man, Waseem Zahran, and yelled expletives at him while trying to hit his pregnant wife just before noon Saturday at the restaurant. A woman who was with Zahran started recording the incident on her cellphone, which Szustakiewicz allegedly tried to hit out of her hands.
Victim’s Account
Zahran said he tried to deescalate the situation multiple times, even after Szustakiewicz allegedly hit him in the face and attempted to throw hot coffee on his wife before and after swinging at her multiple times. He said Szustakiewicz continued swinging at his wife after he told her his wife was pregnant. “I don’t care,” he says she replied.
Charges and Arrest
Szustakiewicz was arrested Sunday at her home and charged with two felony hate crime counts and one count of disorderly conduct. She was booked into DuPage County Jail.
Community Response
Ahmed Rehab, executive director of the Council on American Islamic Relations-Chicago, condemned the attack in an emailed statement. “We have long seen how European migrants like this woman feel a bizarre sense of entitlement to regularly harass and accost native Palestinians in their ancestral homeland, knowing they enjoy full impunity and knowing their victims have no recourse,” Rehab said.
Charges and Trial
Szustakiewicz is due for arraignment on December 16. On Monday, DuPage County Judge Joshua Dieden granted a pretrial release for Szustakiewicz that included orders of no contact with Zahran and his wife and no entry to the Panera where the incident happened.
Conclusion
The incident highlights the importance of addressing hate crimes and promoting tolerance and understanding in our communities. The charges filed against Szustakiewicz are a step in the right direction, and we hope that the trial will bring justice to the victims and a sense of closure to the community.
FAQs
Q: What happened during the incident?
A: Alexandra Szustakiewicz allegedly berated a man wearing a hoodie with the word “Palestine” on it, yelled expletives at him, and physically assaulted his pregnant wife.
Q: What charges has Szustakiewicz been facing?
A: Szustakiewicz has been charged with two felony hate crime counts and one count of disorderly conduct.
Q: What is the next step in the trial?
A: Szustakiewicz is due for arraignment on December 16.
