ALEXANDRIA, Va. — A Maryland woman has been arrested and charged following a Christmas Day confrontation at a northern Virginia grocery store that was captured on video and widely circulated online, prompting public outrage and renewed scrutiny of how law enforcement responds to bias-motivated incidents.
The incident occurred on December 25 at a Giant Food grocery store on Duke Street in Alexandria, where a 24-year-old man said he was verbally and physically attacked while shopping. The altercation, recorded by the victim on his phone, shows a woman shouting homophobic slurs, ramming him with a shopping cart, and throwing grocery items in his direction.
Police later identified the suspect as Shibritney Colbert, 34, of Landover, Maryland. Authorities confirmed that Colbert was arrested on January 8 in Prince George’s County and is awaiting extradition to Virginia, where she will face multiple criminal charges.
Incident Captured on Video
In the video, which garnered millions of views across social media platforms, Colbert is seen approaching the man in a grocery aisle and repeatedly making derogatory remarks about his sexual orientation. At several points, she pushes a shopping cart into him and throws items from store shelves, while continuing to shout insults.
Tiktok user @deonteiy began recording the encounter to protect himself and document what was happening. He did not physically retaliate during the incident.
Witnesses can be heard reacting with shock as the confrontation escalates. Store employees eventually intervened, and police were called to the scene.
Suspect Fled Before Police Arrival
According to the Alexandria Police Department, officers responded to a 911 call reporting a disturbance inside the grocery store. When they arrived, Colbert had already left the scene in a vehicle.
Investigators later determined that she had fled as officers attempted to locate her, leading to an additional charge related to eluding law enforcement. Police worked with Maryland authorities to track her down, ultimately locating and arresting her several weeks later.
Charges and Possible Hate Crime Enhancement
Colbert is expected to face several charges in Virginia, including assault and battery, destruction of property, felony eluding law enforcement, and traffic-related violations. Prosecutors are also reviewing whether the case qualifies for bias-motivated sentencing enhancements under Virginia law, which could increase penalties if the attack is determined to be motivated by the victim’s sexual orientation.
Virginia law allows for enhanced punishment in cases where a crime is proven to be driven by prejudice against a protected class, including sexual orientation. Authorities have not yet announced whether formal hate crime charges will be filed, but officials say the investigation is ongoing.
The video sparked widespread condemnation from LGBTQ+ advocates, elected officials, and members of the public, many of whom described the incident as a disturbing example of everyday harassment escalating into violence.
Civil rights organizations pointed to the case as evidence of persistent hostility faced by LGBTQ+ individuals in public spaces, even in regions often perceived as socially progressive. Online, many praised the victim for remaining calm and documenting the incident, while others called for stronger legal consequences.
The victim later stated that recording the confrontation was a way to ensure accountability and prevent the situation from being misrepresented.
Policy Changes in Alexandria
In the wake of the incident, the Alexandria Police Department announced the implementation of a new hate crime and bias-incident policy, aimed at improving how officers identify, document, and investigate crimes rooted in prejudice.
The policy includes updated training for officers, clearer guidelines for distinguishing bias incidents from hate crimes, and improved reporting procedures. City officials said the changes were already under development but were accelerated following the viral incident and the public response.
Police leadership emphasized that bias-motivated conduct, even when it does not rise to the level of a felony, can have serious psychological and community-wide impacts and should be taken seriously.
Legal Proceedings Ahead
Colbert remains in custody in Maryland pending extradition to Virginia. Once transferred, she is expected to make her first court appearance in Alexandria, where prosecutors will formally outline the charges against her.
If convicted, she could face jail time, fines, and additional penalties depending on whether hate crime enhancements are applied.
Authorities said they expect the case to proceed through the courts in the coming months. Meanwhile, the video continues to circulate online, serving as a flashpoint in ongoing conversations about public harassment, accountability, and protections for LGBTQ+ individuals.
The investigation remains ongoing.