A North Miami woman has been charged with multiple felonies after police say she targeted a Jewish man in an unprovoked antisemitic attack inside the Starbucks at a Target store in North Miami Beach, allegedly striking him with a cellphone, attempting to hit him with a metal chair, and shouting, “I hate them.”

Authorities identified the suspect as 43-year-old Chyvonne Juanita Palmer. According to North Miami Beach Police, the incident unfolded Sunday afternoon at the Target located at 14075 Biscayne Boulevard. Palmer was taken into custody at the scene before later appearing in bond court.

Investigators said the victim was seated inside the Starbucks wearing a yarmulke, or kippah, when Palmer unexpectedly got up from her seat and approached him without any apparent provocation.

According to police, Palmer began yelling at the man before allegedly hitting him twice with her cellphone. Officers said she briefly returned to where she had been sitting, but the encounter was not over.

Police allege that Palmer soon stood up again, grabbed a metal chair, lifted it as though she intended to strike the victim, and repeatedly screamed, “I hate them.”

Before the chair could allegedly be used, two bystanders stepped in to stop the confrontation, investigators said. One of the witnesses escorted the victim into the men’s restroom to keep him safe until officers arrived.

Target condemned the incident in a statement released Monday evening.

“We’re deeply saddened by this incident, as the safety of our guests and team is Target’s top priority,” the company said in a statement. “We do not tolerate this kind of behavior in our stores and we are cooperating fully with law enforcement.”

The alleged attack has heightened concerns among members of the local Jewish community.

“I would say nowadays, it’s very strange because we want to be free,” said Alex Klein, a Jewish customer who was sitting at the same Starbucks on Monday, although he did not know the victim personally.

Klein said episodes like this highlight the importance of responding with compassion and unity.

“We need to spread more light to the world and kindness,” he said.

Palmer has been charged with aggravated battery, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon with prejudice, and disorderly conduct.

At her initial court appearance, a judge ordered that Palmer be transferred into the custody of Southern Winds Hospital in Hialeah for a mental health evaluation.

Court records show that Palmer had posted bond by Monday night and was no longer being held in custody. Police said the investigation into the incident remains active.

{Matzav.com}