Alexandria Police Roll Out Hate Crime Policy After Attack In Store

ALEXANDRIA, VA — A Maryland woman faces several charges after she was captured on video attacking a man at an Alexandria grocery store while hurling anti-gay insults at him. The incident also prompted Alexandria police to roll out a new hate crime policy that officials say "formally codifies standards, expectations and oversight" in similar investigations.

According to police, the incident occurred on Christmas Day at the Giant grocery store located at 3131 Duke St. Police said a 24-year-old man shopping at the store was assaulted by a woman he didn't know.

In a video captured by the man, the woman can be seen pushing the victim and throwing groceries at him. She also makes several derogatory statements about his sexual orientation, which police believe was the motivation behind the attack.

The video was shown at a recent press conference held by Alexandria police. It begins at the 6:15 mark.

A 911 call was eventually placed reporting a fight inside the store, prompting Alexandria police officers to respond. As officers attempted to detain the woman in the parking lot, she fled in her vehicle.

The woman was later identified as Shibritney Colbert, 34, of Landover, Maryland.

After coordinating with multiple law enforcement agencies, Colbert was arrested last week in Prince George's County, Maryland. She is charged with felony eluding, assault and battery, destruction of property, and driving an unregistered vehicle.

Colbert is currently in custody at the Prince George’s County Jail, where she is awaiting extradition to Alexandria.

According to Alexandria Chief of Police Tarrick McGuire, the creation of the agency's hate crime and bias-incident policy was already underway before the Christmas Day incident. It was developed through a year-long process involving faith leaders, civil rights and human rights organizations, and community advocates, officials said.

"While APD has long investigated and responded to crimes motivated by bias, this policy formally codifies standards, expectations and oversight to ensure consistent identification, documentation and follow-up in every case," officials said.

Community leaders celebrated the rollout of the new policy.

“The NAACP Alexandria Branch is committed to working in concert with the Alexandria Police Department to strengthen our approach to hate crimes and bias incidents,” said Darrilyn Franklin, President of the NAACP Alexandria Branch. "The goal was to create a transparent framework that builds community trust and ensures every incident is addressed with the seriousness it deserves.”

Read more about the new policy online.