Black Woman Charged With Hate Crimes For Allegedly Pepper-Spraying White People In NYC

New York, NY — Thomas Heard, a 37-year old from the Bronx who identifies as a transgender woman, has been charged with hate crimes for attacking several random white people with pepper spray around New York City. Heard, who is Black, said she did it because she hates white people.

Heard reportedly approached a husband and wife who were shopping in the Belmont neighborhood of the Bronx on Friday afternoon and said, “I f—ing hate white people.” She then kicked the man and sprayed him with pepper spray.

Later that same day, Heard assaulted a 29-year old man on the train station and pepper-sprayed him before running away.

The next day, Heard walked up to another couple outside her apartment and asked the woman if she was white. She then immediately pepper-sprayed the woman and threatened the man with a knife before leaving.

According to police, Heard committed about eight pepper spray attacks on white strangers and is being investigated as a hate crime.

There were several other attacks using pepper spray in Manhattan perpetrated by a woman matching Heard’s description. Police are also conducting investigations regarding her possible involvement in the crimes.

Heard was arrested on Saturday after police released surveillance footage and pictures of her. She was charged with assault as a hate crime, weapon possession, menacing and harassment. She is being held on $30,000 bond.

Moreover, Heard has already been arrested for over 60 times before since 2002 on charges including prostitution, sexual misconduct, and disorderly conduct, police said.

Meanwhile, the victims from the attacks were not seriously injured and currently in recovery.