A Staten Island woman on Wednesday was indicted and charged with assault as a hate crime and related offenses in connection with a series of unprovoked attacks against three Muslim people in Bay Ridge.
The victims were targeted while wearing religious attire when the incidents occurred, according to Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez.
Megan Horne, 34, of Staten Island, was charged with third-degree assault as a hate crime, third-degree assault, third-degree attempted assault as a hate crime, third-degree attempted assault, third-degree menacing as a hate crime, third-degree menacing, second-degree aggravated harassment and endangering the welfare of a child.
On January 30, 2026, at approximately 2:25pm, near Fifth Avenue and 89th Street in Bay Ridge, the defendant allegedly approached a 33-year-old woman wearing a hijab and punched and kicked her while making anti-Muslim statements.
Minutes later, near 92nd Street and Gelston Avenue, the defendant allegedly approached a 12-year-old girl who was also wearing a hijab and punched her in the face.
Shortly thereafter, near Fort Hamilton Parkway and 92nd Street, the defendant allegedly approached a 39-year-old woman wearing a hijab and pushed her as she was boarding a bus, again making a statement directed at the victim’s perceived religion.
Horne fled each scene, Gonzalez said. The victims suffered pain, redness and fear for their safety, but declined medical attention at the time.
“This defendant is accused of targeting three people, including a child, in a string of unprovoked assaults allegedly fueled by anti-Muslim bias," Gonzalez said in a statement. "No one should be attacked, threatened, or made to fear for their safety because of their faith."
The defendant remains on supervised release and was ordered to return to court on May 27.
