Hate-Related Assault In Manassas Area Leads To Arrest: Police

MANASSAS, VA — Prince William County Police have made an arrest in what they say was a hate-related assault case in the Manassas area.

The assault happened around 11:50 a.m. on Sept. 30 in the 10700 block of Sudley Manor Drive in the Bull Run neighborhood. The victim, a 51-year-old woman, had just parked her car in a parking lot near a business when an unknown man approached. A verbal argument followed, and police say the man used profanities and derogatory language based on the victim's religion.

At one point, the man was poking her face, leaving marks and grabbing her hand. Witnesses intervened, leading the suspect to leave the area. The victim had minor injuries.

Police did not specify details about the victim's religion.

During the investigation, officers identified the suspect as Matthew Vinod Malaikal, 66, of Northville, Michigan, and obtained an arrest warrant. Malaikal was charged with felony assault and battery. The charge is a felony when the assault results in injury and is based on "race, religious conviction, gender, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, color, or ethnic or national origin," according to Virginia law.

The DC-based Council on American Islamic Relations released a statement supporting the felony assault and battery based on a hate crime charge.

"We welcome the decision to pursue a hate crime charge in this disturbing case," CAIR said in a statement. "No one of any faith or background should fear being targeted, harassed, or assaulted while going about their daily life. We thank law enforcement authorities for taking this incident seriously and urge full accountability under the law. We also stand in solidarity with the victim and all those similarly targeted by hate."