Maryland Woman Charged in Viral Grocery Store Assault, Alexandria Police Announces New Hate Crime Policy

Maryland woman, Shibritney Colbert, 34, has been charged and arrested in connection with a suspected bias-motivated attack against a 24 year old man she did not know.

The incident occurred on Christmas afternoon at a Giant grocery store in Alexandria, Virginia. The confrontation was recorded on a cellphone by the victim, and the video quickly went viral. 

The victim posted the video to X later that day, documenting the altercation. In the footage, the man can be heard repeatedly asking Colbert to stop touching him, saying, “Why are you touching me? I don’t even know you.”

The recording continues as the two argue. Colbert is heard saying, “Boy, get out of here with your gay ass!” 

The man responds by asking her to back away, stating, “Back up. Please back up. I don’t know you. Why are you up on me like that?” 

Colbert replies, “I don’t know you either. Wassup! What you gone do?! I’m sick of this gay ass shit bro!”

Colbert can be seen striking the man with a grocery cart, throwing items at him, and repeatedly making insulting remarks. Throughout the exchange, another woman is visible in the video attempting to deescalate the fight by intervening between the two individuals.

just got hate crimed in the grocery store for being gay, merry christmas. pic.twitter.com/E8BJuDjf9a

— D. (@deonteiy) December 25, 2025

Days after the incident, the victim posted a follow-up statement on X clarifying the circumstances of the attack and further explaining his perspective on how he handled the situation. 

“All jokes aside this was a very traumatic experience for me…For those wondering why I chose to record instead of immediately calling the police or reacting, it was because the situation could have easily been misrepresented and turned into a narrative that portrayed me as the perpetrator. I needed evidence to protect myself. Had I immediately reacted, the conversation would be very different.”

All jokes aside this was a very traumatic experience for me. I do not believe in hitting women and refused to let her take me that far out of my character.

For those wondering why I chose to record instead of immediately calling the police or reacting, it was because the…

— D. (@deonteiy) December 29, 2025

According to the Alexandria Police Department (APD), a 9-1-1 call was placed reporting a fight inside the store. Alexandria Police officers responded to the scene and attempted to detain Colbert, where she fled in her vehicle. Because Colbert is a Maryland resident, APD worked in coordination with the Prince George’s County Police Department, the Virginia Fusion Center, and the U.S. Marshals Service to locate and arrest her. 

“Based on the statements made during the incident and the totality of the circumstances, investigators believe [Colbert] targeted the victim based on his sexual orientation,” said APD Chief of Police Tarrick McGuire. 

On January 12, APD held a press conference announcing the implementation of a new hate crime policy and provided updates on the assault and arrest. According to the APD, “the policy codifies standards, expectations, and oversight to ensure consistent identification, documentation, and follow-up in every case.” 

Additionally, while law enforcement agencies in the United States are not required to report hate crime data to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), this new policy ensures that properly documented hate crime incidents will be reported and shared with the FBI.

After a year-long policy review, APD finalized and released the hate crime policy just weeks after the incident. The announcement came days after Colbert’s arrest, making its enforcement a timely move and positioning this case as a possible public example of the department’s approach to bias-motivated offenses. 

This marks Alexandria’s first comprehensive hate crime and bias incident policy.

Authorities obtained three arrest warrants and a summons for Colbert, who is currently in custody at the Prince George’s County Jail while awaiting extradition to Alexandria, Virginia. Colbert is facing charges of felony eluding, assault and battery, destruction of property, and driving an unregistered vehicle.

Since this incident is being treated as a bias-motivated crime, the APD is working with the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office to pursue bias enhancement under Virginia law. If convicted, Colbert could face harsher punishment.