A shocking video has gone viral on social media, capturing the moment a woman in New York City attacked an Uber driver with pepper spray. The incident has sparked widespread outrage and discussions about safety for both drivers and passengers in ride-sharing services.
NYC woman randomly pepper sprays a UBER driver ‘because he’s brown’
The Incident:
The altercation occurred on a busy street in Manhattan, where the Uber driver, identified as Mohammed Khan, was picking up passengers. The video, which has been widely circulated on platforms like Twitter and Instagram, shows a woman approaching the driver’s window. After a brief exchange of words, she suddenly sprays the driver in the face with pepper spray,Witnesses reported hearing the woman make racially charged remarks, allegedly saying she targeted him “Because He’s Brown.”
The incident happened around 11:20 p.m. on Tuesday at the corner of Lexington Avenue and East 65th Street on the Upper East Side. Jennifer Guilbeault was riding in the back seat with another young woman when she suddenly attacked the Uber driver, according to police and the dashcam footage.
The Uber driver was talking on the phone while staring at the window when Jennifer Guilbeault reached around and sprayed him in the face with pepper spray.
The video, which has been circulating on X, Reddit, Instagram, and YouTube, shows the Uber driver repeatedly yelling, “What? What? What?” as he tried to block her attack. Jennifer Guilbeault held his arm down and sprayed him again as he attempted to open his door and escape. Her friend could be heard pleading, “Jen, Jen, Jen! Jen, what the f**k! What did you do?” after the driver managed to get out of the car.
Jennifer Guilbeault stepped out of the car, appearing shocked, while her friend continued questioning her actions. The friend then urged, “OK, take your stuff. Let’s go. We have to go,” before the video cut off.
Jennifer Guilbeault was handcuffed and taken into custody around 12.45 a.m. on Wednesday for a misdemeanour third-degree assault. She got a desk appearance ticket, which meant she had to go back to the court some other time and was let off. It was also officially confirmed she has no previous arrest records.
Response from Uber:
Uber has released a statement condemning the attack and emphasizing their commitment to the safety of drivers and passengers. “We are deeply concerned by this incident and are working closely with the authorities to ensure justice is served. The safety of our drivers and riders is our top priority,” the statement read.
The company has also reached out to the driver to offer support and assistance. In light of the incident, Uber is reviewing its safety policies and exploring additional measures to protect drivers and passengers from similar incidents in the future.
Public Reaction:
The video has elicited strong reactions from the public, with many expressing their outrage and calling for the woman to be held accountable. Social media platforms have been flooded with comments supporting the driver and demanding justice.
“I can’t believe someone would do this to a person just trying to do their job. She needs to be found and punished,” one Twitter user wrote. Others have used the incident to highlight the broader issue of violence against gig economy workers, calling for better protections and support.
Legal Expert:
Legal experts suggest that the woman could face charges of assault and committing a hate crime, which carries more severe penalties under New York State law. The NYPD has emphasized their commitment to treating the case with the seriousness it deserves.
Broader Implications:
This incident highlights the ongoing challenges of racism and discrimination faced by many immigrants and people of color in the United States. It also underscores the need for greater protections and support for gig economy workers, who often find themselves vulnerable to abuse and violence.