A Maryland woman has been arrested and charged after a video of a fight at a Giant Food supermarket in Alexandria went viral. According to Alexandria Police, the lady, Shibritney Colbert, 34, may face hate crime charges under the department’s recently adopted hate crime and bias policy.
An unknown woman assaulted a man on Christmas Day while he was shopping at a grocery store on Duke Street. Based on the victim’s account, prior conversations, and the incident circumstances, investigators believe the woman targeted him due to his sexual orientation.
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Colbert is seen on video pushing the victim and throwing groceries while making derogatory statements. A 911 call reported a fight in the store. When Alexandria officers came, they attempted to stop Colbert in the parking lot, but she fled in her car.
“During the encounter, the suspect struck the victim, pushed him, threw groceries at him while making derogatory statements that lasted for over a minute,” said Alexandria Police Chief Tarrick McGuire. “These are crimes that truly impact the community. It’s more than just a criminal offense. It is an attack against what I believe is humanity and civil rights.”
The APD Homeland Security Unit and Criminal Investigations Division later expanded the inquiry, which started with responding patrol officers. Because the suspect lives in Landover, Maryland, the APD worked with the Prince George’s County Police Department, the Virginia Fusion Center, and the United States Marshals Service to find and detain her.
She was arrested on Thursday in Prince George’s County and remains in detention as of Monday, pending extradition to Alexandria.
She is currently facing felony evading charges, assault and battery, property destruction, and operating an unregistered vehicle. The investigation is being reviewed in cooperation with the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office to determine whether bias-based punishment increases should be applied.
Alexandria Police announced the implementation of a new hate crime policy on Monday, which they had crafted during the previous year.
“While APD has long investigated and responded to crimes motivated by bias, this policy formally codifies standards, expectations, and oversight to ensure consistent identification, documentation, and follow-up in every case. The policy reflects a deliberate, proactive effort that was already underway before a recent bias-motivated assault investigated by the department,” a spokesperson for the department said Monday.
The policy development process involved ongoing collaboration with faith leaders, civil rights and human rights organizations, and community advocates, such as meetings with the Anti-Defamation League and feedback sessions with the NAACP Alexandria Branch, Jewish congregations, and leaders from various faith communities.
“Their perspectives were instrumental in providing feedback and ensuring this policy focuses on investigative rigor and respect for human rights,” said McGuire.
APD encourages anybody who witnesses or encounters bias-motivated activity to report it right away.
