Woman arrested after series of anti-Muslim hate crimes in Bay Ridge

An arrest has been made in connection with a series of anti-Muslim hate crime attacks that took place in Bay Ridge last week, including an incident involving a 12-year-old girl, police said.

According to the NYPD, a 33-year-old woman reported that on Jan. 30, at approximately 2:25 p.m., she was “pushed and kicked by an unknown female” in front of 8902 Fifth Ave. Police said the suspect made Islamophobic remarks during the attack.

Minutes later, at approximately 2:33 p.m., a 39-year-old woman was “pushed from behind by the same individual while attempting to board a B53 bus on 92nd street.”

A third incident occurred three minutes later, when a 12-year-old girl said she was “approached and struck in the face by the same individual near Fort Hamilton Parkway and 92nd Street,” police said.

All three victims were reportedly wearing hijabs at the time of the attacks, and all three refused medical treatment. No arrests were made at the time.

Police said on Feb. 4, after an investigation, an individual was arrested and charged in the 68th Precinct. The suspect was identified as Megan Horne, a 34-year-old woman from Staten Island.

The incidents have sparked a statewide response. Gov. Kathy Hochul called the anti-Muslim hate crimes “disgusting” and expressed her continued pursuit of “cracking down on hate crimes to the fullest extent.”Photo courtesy of Mike Groll/Office of Governor Kathy Hochul

Horne faces multiple charges, including Hate Crime Assault, Hate Crime Aggravated Harassment, Act in a Manner Injurious to a Child, and Assault, according to police.

Gov. Kathy Hochul condemned the alleged attacks and praised law enforcement for making an arrest.

“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,” Hochul said in a statement on X.

Council Member Kayla Santosuosso, who represents the area, also condemned the attacks and expressed solidarity with her Muslim constituents.

“In every case, the victims were women, and in one case, the victim was a 12-year-old child. All of them wore hijabs. The perpetrator physically attacked them and told them to ‘go back to [their] country,” Santosuosso said in a statement.

While there were no major physical injuries reported, Santosuosso emphasized the emotional toll of the incidents.

“While there were, thankfully, no major physical injuries, I can only imagine the lasting fear and trauma that this has caused,” she said.

Council Member Kayla Santosuosso condemned the anti-Muslim hate crimes, adding that her office would be working with local organizations to ensure the safety of the community’s Muslim population.Photo by Gabriele Holtermann

Santosuosso also commended the NYPD’s response, noting that the 68th Precinct referred the case to the Hate Crimes Task Force, which conducted an investigation that led to the arrest.

In her statement, Santosuosso warned that the hate crimes reflect a broader climate of anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant sentiment and pledged continued support for the local Muslim community.

“There is a disturbing current of anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant sentiment pervading both our online and in-person worlds,” she said. “I would like to take this opportunity to remind my Muslim neighbors and constituents that my office is here to support you, that we recognize and take Islamophobia seriously, and that we will continue to do everything we can to keep you and your families safe and respected.”

She added that her office will work with law enforcement and community organizations, particularly with Ramadan approaching, to take additional measures to protect Muslim residents.

The investigation remains ongoing.