Overview
- Police say a 43-year-old woman approached a man wearing a yarmulke at the Starbucks inside the Target on Biscayne Boulevard and struck him with a cellphone before grabbing a metal chair and shouting hateful remarks.
- Investigators and witnesses described the incident as antisemitic, with one witness reporting the suspect repeatedly yelled, “I hate them.”
- Authorities arrested Chyvonne Juanita Palmer at the scene and charged her with aggravated battery, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon with prejudice, and disorderly conduct.
- A judge ordered Palmer released to a hospital for a court-ordered mental-health evaluation and she later posted bond so she was not in custody as of Monday night.
- Police collected surveillance video and Target says it is cooperating with investigators, while local Jewish community members and customers have voiced concern about safety and called for greater unity.