A disturbing scene unfolded at a Dierbergs market in Creve Coeur on Friday evening when Shawn E. Singer, a 31-year-old local man, allegedly attacked a fellow shopper because of the victim's national origin. St. Louis Today reports that the incident occurred shortly before 6 p.m. at the grocery store located at 12595 Olive Boulevard.
Witnesses and police documents described a volatile outburst with Singer passing the victim in an aisle and muttering an indiscernible comment; when the victim inquired about the remark, Singer responded with, "Go back to your f---ing country," initiating an encounter that escalated rapidly as Singer hurled both insults and fists, despite the victim's attempts to defuse the situation the conflict grew, leading to Singer striking the victim multiple times. KSDK detailed the aftermath, with law enforcement's arrival and Singer's subsequent arrest where he continued his tirade against foreigners, blaming them for economic grievances and job losses.
In the wake of the assault, St. Louis County prosecutors charged Singer with fourth-degree assault motivated by discrimination, a charge that carries a potential four-year prison sentence and a $10,000 fine. Singer is currently held on a $40,000 cash-only bond according to court records. FOX2 Now added that despite the physical altercation, the victim declined medical attention at the scene.
Reports from responding officers suggest a chilling insensitivity to the implications of his actions with Singer stating, "I'm tired of foreigners, man. Walking all over the place, making our money cost so much more than it should. F---ing people trampling over us," as stated in the probable cause document, and such declarations punctuated his apparent frustration with economic dynamics and immigration, though these notions hold no merit in justifying violence. KSDK additionally noted that the assailant targeted the victim solely based on the assumption of his being a foreign national, which has sparked further investigation by local authorities.
