Crime & Safety
Racist Rant At Chicago Starbucks Ends With Punch, Battery Charges (VIDEO)
In an incident caught on video, William Boucher, 23, is accused of hitting a man, 59, after a racially charged tirade over spilled coffee.
CHICAGO, IL — A Chicago man caught on video yelling racially charged insults over a spilled cup of coffee Tuesday at a downtown Starbucks was arrested after his outburst turned into a physical altercation, according to ABC 7 Eyewitness News. William Boucher, 23, is charged with three counts of misdemeanor battery after he allegedly punched a 59-year-old African-America man, causing injuries that sent him to the hospital. Boucher's next court date is July 5.
The blowup began at about 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 6, at a Starbucks in the 0-100 block of West Lake Street in the Loop, the report stated. According to Chicago police, Boucher became upset after coffee was spilled on his suit, and he began yelling "You're disgusting!" and "Shut up, slave!" comments that were taped by an ABC 7 photographer. (Get Patch real-time email alerts for the latest news for Chicago — or your neighborhood. And iPhone users: Check out Patch's new app.)
The video shows the conflict moving outside, where Boucher confronts an African-American man recording the events and shouts, "Your children are disposable vermin!" He's then seen spitting at the man, who runs at him before bystanders step in to avert a possible fight. As the two men are pulled away from one another, Boucher yells, ""Get on all fours right now! Get on all fours! Do not walk off on two legs!"
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Boucher eventually leaves the Starbucks, but as he walks away another African-American man approaches him, and Boucher is seen in the video punching the man, who falls to the sidewalk. Bystanders again step in, and this time they tackle and hold Boucher until police arrive, according to ABC 7. The man seen in the video punched by Boucher suffered an eye injury and was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital, the report added.
WATCH: A 23-year-old man was charged after his racially charged tirade at a Starbucks in the Loop:
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Starbucks workers told ABC 7 that Boucher has caused problems in the past, but he's never been involved in violent incidents. Boucher declined to comment about the incident to DNAInfo.com, claiming legal reasons given his upcoming court date.
Photo via Google Earth
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