Transgender Woman Attacked at McDonald’s in Baltimore Says She Was Victim of “Hate Crime”

Chrissy Lee Polis, a transgender woman, was brutally assaulted at a Baltimore McDonald’s in Maryland. Polis, 22, says she was the victim of a “hate crime” and that this is not the first time she has been attacked.

She says that this latest Baltimore injury incident happened on April 18 at a McDonald’s in the Rosedale suburb. In an interview with the Baltimore Sun, Polis claims that two females attacked her after she came out of the restroom. She says that they kicked her, ripped her hair, spit in her face, and threw her to the ground. One woman allegedly accused Polis of talking to “her” man.

The attack was captured on video by someone since identified as Vernon Hackett, a McDonald’s employee. The footage was posted online. Hackett can be heard in the background laughing while other workers are seen standing around. Hackett has since been fired.

Even after another McDonald’s worker and a customer tried to help Polis, the two women allegedly kept assaulting her. According to a police report, Polis sustained cuts and bruises and had a seizure after the attack. Two females, ages 14 and 18, have been arrested in connection with the assault. The 18-year-old suspect, Teonna Monae Brown, is charged with one count of first-degree assault and two counts of second-degree assault. The 14-year-old was charged in juvenile court. McDonald’s has called the attack “unacceptable” and “disturbing.”

If someone you love was the victim of a violent crime on someone else’s premise, it is important that you speak to a Baltimore injury law firm right away to find out if you should file a Maryland premises liability claim. Property owners of premises frequented by the public are supposed to ensure that there is adequate security so that patrons and others don’t become victims of violent crimes or robberies. If a violent crime could have been stopped and the property owner/manager or others affiliated with the premise or business were negligent and failed to take such action, the victim might also be able to sue for Baltimore personal injury.

Attack at McDonald’s, The Baltimore Sun, April 25, 2011
Community Rallies to Support Victim of Beating at McDonald’s, Patch.com, April 26, 2011
Related Web Resources:
Hate Crimes, FBI
Inadequate Security, Justia
Proving Fault in Accidents on Dangerous or Defective Property, Nolo
More Blog Posts:
Montgomery County Premises Liability: Nordstrom Ordered to Pay Nearly $1.6M to Two Women Injured in 2005 Bethesda Mall Stabbing, Maryland Accident Law Blog, April 21, 2011
Retired Teacher Shot to Death in Glen Burnie Shopping Mall Parking Lot, Maryland Accident Law Blog, February 9, 2011
Man Assaulted at Westport Light Rail Station in Baltimore, Maryland Dies From Injuries, Maryland Accident Law Blog, November 8, 2010

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