The Manhattan woman who allegedly attacked a Muslim Uber driver with pepper spray has been identified as a public relations assistant and former sorority girl.
Jennifer Guilbeault, 23, is accused of throwing mace at Shohel Mahmud, 45, during a hate-fueled late-night stroll in Midtown Manhattan on July 31.
Now Guilbeault, through her lawyer, has responded after she was accused of a hate crime, vehemently denying that the ordeal was motivated by race or religion.
Originally from Northbridge, Massachusetts, the woman attended Manhattan College, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in public relations, advertising and applied communications.
She served as social vice president of her sorority, Sigma Delta Tau, and during her college years, she was photographed dressing up for formal events with her glamorous friends, spending a semester abroad, and receiving school honors.
After graduating, he worked for D Pagan Communications, a public relations firm based in Melville, New York, who confirmed that his employment had been terminated.
Jennifer Guilbeault, 23, the woman who allegedly pepper-sprayed a Muslim Uber driver in Manhattan, has been unmasked as a public relations assistant.
He allegedly sprayed 45-year-old Shohel Mahmud with mace during a late-night stroll in Midtown Manhattan on July 31.
The company took to LinkedIn to condemn the incident, saying: “We are aware of this former employee’s actions and do not condone this behavior.”
His lawyer, Michael J. Alber, told DailyMail.com that his client “should not be charged with a hate crime” after the Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg announced his indictment on Monday.
‘This matter should not be considered a hate crime. “Ms. Guilbeault was not motivated by race, religion, national origin or any other discriminatory factor,” Alber said.
“This case must be examined taking into account all of the surrounding circumstances, including the evaluation of all evidence and the lack of evidence,” adding that he and his client “look forward” to examining the facts of the case.
‘We look forward to working with the District Attorney’s office to fully examine all of the facts in the appropriate forum that does not embellish or exaggerate the claims, especially where the integrity and credibility of the claims can be adequately tested.
“A full and fair review of the evidence will demonstrate that no crime was committed in this matter and that rushing to judgment is inappropriate and harmful to everyone involved,” Alber added.
Guilbeault (right), originally from Northbridge, Massachusetts, attended Manhattan College, where she served as social vice president of her sorority, Sigma Delta Tau.
Guilbeault (second from left) was indicted in August on charges of assault and battery as a hate crime, but denied that the crime was racially motivated.
Bragg said Guilbeault “senselessly assaulted” Mahmud, who called 911 after experiencing painful burning and redness from the pepper spray.
‘As alleged, Jennifer Guilbeault senselessly assaulted a Muslim Uber driver while he was doing his job.
‘The victim is a hard-working New Yorker who should not have to face this type of hate because of his identity. “Everyone is welcome to live and work in Manhattan,” Bragg added.
Dramatic dash cam footage captured the entire incident as Guilbeault allegedly lunged at Mahmud and sprayed him in the face before pulling his arm back as he tried to push her, while her friend sat in the back seat stunned by his actions.
Guilbeault and her friend sat in the back seat of the car while Mahmud spoke Arabic while stopped at a red light.
Guilbeault allegedly sneaked up behind him and threw the pepper spray in his face, as he attempted to fight her, repeatedly saying, ‘What?’ that?’
He then tried to hold his arm inside the car while Mahmud managed to unbuckle his seat belt and jumped out of the driver’s door.
As she did so, Guilbeault continued to point the mace at her while her confused friend said, ‘Jen, Jen, what the fuck?!’
Guilbeault then climbed into the front seat as the driver tried to get back into the seat, but soon ran away.
Guilbeault is seen at the scene of the attack with her friend.
The driver (pictured) suffered injuries to his neck, back and shoulder, as well as vision problems in his right eye.
Mahmud held the door open as she remained outside the vehicle, as Guilbeault repeatedly said “get him out” as her friend detained her.
The panicked driver asked him why he had attacked him, while Guilbeault opened the back seat door and got out of the car.
Then her friend was heard shouting ‘Jen, Jen, Jen! Why did you do that? Before the two women grabbed their suitcases and left.
Mahmud suffered injuries to his neck, back and shoulder, as well as vision problems in his right eye, according to The New York Times.
Driving since 2017, he said this was the first time he had been attacked. Mahmud got back behind the wheel at the end of September.
Following the announcement of the hate crime charges, CAIR-NY, a chapter of the country’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, said it “welcomed” Guilbeault’s indictment.
Guilbeault pleaded not guilty to the charges and was released Monday. He is scheduled to return to court in January. (Pictured: Guilbeault, left, with his ‘little’ Sigma Delta Tau)
“We welcome the hate crime charges in this case and thank law enforcement authorities for sending a clear message that those who allegedly carry out hate-motivated attacks will face consequences,” CAIR’s executive director said Tuesday. -NY, Afaf Nasher.
Guilbeault was indicted in New York State Supreme Court on one count each of second-degree assault as a hate crime, third-degree assault as a hate crime, and second-degree aggravated harassment.
She was indicted in August on charges of assault and battery as a hate crime, as Mahmud, a Queens father of three, believes her actions were racially motivated. Guilbeault denied that accusation.
Guilbeault pleaded not guilty to the charges and was released Monday. He is scheduled to return to court in January.