Jennifer Guilbeault former Manhattan PR assistant denies being motivated by racism when she pepper sprayed Shohel Mahmud ‘Muslim’ Uber driver after unleashing sudden and unprovoked attack captured on footage and leading to hate crime charges.
A former glamorous Manhattan PR assistant and former sorority girl has been unmasked as the alleged individual said to have pepper sprayed a ‘Muslim’ Uber driver and leading to her being charged with a hate crime.
Jennifer Guilbeault, 23, is accused of dousing mace on 45-year-old Shohel Mahmud, during a late-night ride in Midtown Manhattan on July 31.
Guilbeault, through her lawyer, has denied the alleged episode was motivated by race or religion.
(1/2) ⬇️ New York Woman Indicted for Islamophobic Attack on Uber Driver in NYC
Jennifer Guilbeault, 23, indicted for assault as a hate crime after pepper spraying Uber driver during an Islamophobic attack.
Shohel Mahmud suffered burns.#NewYorkCity #JenniferGuilbeault pic.twitter.com/XdzgVWmvCA
— British Pakistani Index (@PakistaniIndex) October 30, 2024
Not motivated by racism, discrimination, hate, bias…?
Originally from Northbridge, Massachusetts, Guilbeault attended Manhattan College, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in public relations, advertising and applied communication.
She served as the VP Social Chair of her sorority, Sigma Delta Tau, and during her college years, she was pictured dressing up for formals with her glamorous pals, spending a semester abroad, and receiving scholastic honors the dailymail reports.
After graduating, she worked for D Pagan Communications – a public relations firm based out of Melville, New York – who confirmed her employment was terminated.
The company took to LinkedIn to condemn the alleged incident, stating: ‘We are aware of the actions of this former employee and we don’t condone this behavior.’
Her lawyer, Michael J. Alber, told the dailymail his client ‘should not be charged with a hate crime‘ after Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg announced her indictment Monday.
‘This matter should not be charged as a hate crime. Ms. Guilbeault was not motivated by race, religion, national origin, or any other discriminatory factor,’ Alber said.
What led to ‘senseless’ assault?
‘This case needs to be looked at with all surrounding circumstances which include assessing all of the evidence and lack of evidence,’ adding that he and his client ‘look forward’ to examining the facts of the case.
‘We look forward to working with the District Attorney’s office to fully vet all of the facts in the proper forum, which does not embellish or exaggerate the claims, especially where the integrity and credibility of claims can properly be tested.
‘A full and fair review of the evidence is going to show a crime was not committed in this matter, and that a rush to judgment is not appropriate, and is hurtful to all those involved,’ Alber added.
Bragg said Guilbeault ‘senselessly assaulted’ Mahmud, who called 911 after experiencing painful burning and redness from the pepper spray.
‘As alleged, Jennifer Guilbeault senselessly assaulted a Muslim Uber driver while he was just doing his job.
‘The victim is a hardworking New Yorker who should not have to face this type of hate because of his identity. Everyone is welcome to live and work in Manhattan,’ Bragg added.
Muslim Uber driver had momentarily stopped to pray in Arabic
According to the district attorney’s office, the incident occurred at about 12:15 a.m. on July 31. The driver was in the process of completing a ride for Guilbeault and another passenger, who was sitting in the back of the vehicle.
The driver began praying in Arabic after he stopped at a red light at an intersection, the district attorney’s office said. At that point, prosecutors said Guilbeault ‘lunged forward toward the driver’s seat, holding a can of pepper spray’ and sprayed the driver in the face.
Dashcam footage captured Guilbeault pulling the ‘victim’s’ arm back as he tried to push her off, while her friend sat in the backseat stunned by her actions.
Footage shows the driver trying to fight her off, repeatedly saying: ‘What? what?’
She then attempted to hold his arm down inside the car as Mahmud managed to unbuckle himself and get out the driver’s door.
As he did so, Guilbeault is seen continuing to point the mace at him while her confused friend said: ‘Jen, Jen, what the f***?!’
Guilbeault then climbed in the front seat as the driver tried to sit back down, but soon ran out.
Mahmud held the door open as he stood outside of the vehicle, while Guilbeault repeatedly said ‘get him out’ as her friend held her back.
The panicked driver then asked her why she attacked him, as Guilbeault opened the backseat door and exited the car.
Afterward, her friend was heard yelling ‘Jen, Jen, Jen! Why did you do that?’ before the two women grabbed their bags and left.
Mahmud suffered injuries to his neck, back and shoulder, along with impaired vision in his right eye, according to The New York Times.
Muslim advocacy group ‘welcomes’ hate crime charges
Driving since 2017, he said this was the first time he was attacked. Mahmud returned back behind the wheel in late September.
Following the announcement of hate crime charges, CAIR-NY, a chapter of the largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization in the country, said it ‘welcomed’ Guilbeault’s indictment.
‘We welcome the hate crime charges in this case and thank law enforcement authorities for sending a clear message that those who allegedly carry out bias-motivated attacks will face the consequences,’ CAIR-NY Executive Director Afaf Nasher said Tuesday.
Guilbeault was indicted in New York State Supreme Court on one count each of second-degree assault as a hate crime, third-degree assault as a hate crime, and second-degree aggravated harassment.
She was arraigned in August on assault charges and assault as a hate crime, as Mahmud, a father of three from Queens, believes her actions were racially motivated. Guilbeault denied that allegation.
Guilbeault pleaded not guilty to the charges and was released on Monday. She is set to return to court in January.
