By Forum Staff
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that Christopher Philippeaux was arraigned last Thursday, accused of taunting, punching and trying to knock off the traditional Sikh turban of a fellow bus passenger.
District Attorney Katz said: “We will hold accountable those that would attack others based on their religion. Freedom of religion and expression are foundational principles of our democracy. That is most true here in Queens, The World’s Borough, The most diverse county in the United States. Unprovoked attacks, especially ones motivated by hate, will not be tolerated.”
Philippeaux, 26, was arraigned last Wednesday in Queens Criminal Court and charged with assault in the third degree as a hate crime and aggravated harassment in the second degree.
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The violent incident took place on an MTA shuttle bus near 118th Street and Liberty Avenue in Richmond Hill.
According to the charges:
On Oct. 15, at approximately 9 a.m., Philippeaux and a 19-year-old man were passengers on an MTA bus in Richmond Hill. The teenager was wearing a medical-type mask and a turban—a head covering he wore as part of his religious practice as a Sikh.
Philippeaux approached the victim and yelled at him to remove his mask. He pushed the victim and punched him in the face.
Philippeaux punched the teenager in the back of the head, tried to knock off his turban and told him, in sum and substance, “We don’t wear that in this country.”
Philippeaux punched the victim multiple times in the back of his head and body. He then fled.
The victim received medical treatment for the injuries sustained during the assault, including facial swelling, bruises, substantial pain and bleeding from his nose.
Philippeaux was arrested Thursday.
