BAY RIDGE, N.Y. (VINnews) — Police have arrested a Staten Island woman in connection with multiple anti-Muslim assaults in the Bay Ridge neighborhood, including an attack on a 12-year-old girl.

Authorities said the suspect, identified as 34-year-old Megan Horne, allegedly targeted three women wearing hijabs at separate locations on Jan. 30. The incidents involved physical assaults, but no major injuries were reported.

Horne faces several charges, including hate crime assault and harassment, as well as assault of a minor. The investigation is ongoing.

State and city officials strongly condemned the attacks. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul called the incidents “disgusting” and vowed to enforce laws against hate crimes. New York Attorney General Letitia James and New York City Council Speaker also denounced the assaults, emphasizing the need to protect Muslim residents and ensure community safety.

Local leaders highlighted the emotional impact of the attacks and said authorities would continue working with law enforcement and community organizations to prevent similar incidents in the future.

I am outraged by the despicable, cowardly attacks against Muslim New Yorkers in Bay Ridge last week—one of which was on a 12-year-old girl. This violence is unacceptable, and we know that all too often visibly Muslim, hijab-wearing women and girls bear the brunt of it.

Muslim…

— Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani (@NYCMayor) February 5, 2026

Grateful to see an arrest made in the disgusting, Islamophobic attacks in Bay Ridge.

No New Yorker, especially a child, should ever be targeted because of their faith.

We will continue to crack down on hate crimes to the fullest extent of the law.

— Governor Kathy Hochul (@GovKathyHochul) February 5, 2026

This is despicable.

Assaulting New Yorkers and committing acts of Islamophobic hate will not be tolerated in our state.

Period.https://t.co/rjpl8DuYE1

— NY AG James (@NewYorkStateAG) February 5, 2026

I am appalled, angry, and heartbroken by these disgusting acts of Islamophobia in Bay Ridge. No New Yorker should ever face violence or harassment because of who they are, what they look like, or how they worship. These attacks targeted women wearing hijabs and a minor in Bay… https://t.co/z85vY3JCw1

— Speaker Julie Menin (@SpeakerMenin) February 5, 2026

Late last week, a woman in Bay Ridge attacked three Muslim neighbors in multiple apparent hate crimes blocks apart.

It's frustrating this even needs to be said, but it does: this type of Islamophobic behavior is disgusting and unacceptable in our community or anywhere else. pic.twitter.com/NQACzmD69Z

— State Senator Andrew Gounardes (@Sen_Gounardes) February 4, 2026