The Fremont Police Department has reported an incident categorized as a hate crime following an assault at a local fast-food restaurant earlier this month. Details regarding the case were shared in the department's recent social media post . According to the press release, the altercation took place on April 5, where an adult victim was assaulted, and a child became a secondary target when the suspect launched a verbal and physical attack that involved racial remarks.
Press Release: Hate Crime in Violation of Civil Rights
— Fremont Police Department (@FremontPD) April 17, 2025
On April 5, 2025 at approximately 2:15 p.m., Fremont PD patrol officers were dispatched to the report of an assault at a fast-food restaurant on the 38000 block of Fremont Blvd. Officers contacted an adult victim inside the… pic.twitter.com/8dtFhZImpR
The situation unfolded at a busy eatery on Fremont Blvd, where the suspect, Marcus Harper, a 22-year-old Union City resident, initially harassed a family by taking food from their table and consuming it boldly in front of them. Harper briefly left the scene only to return with more aggression, slapping the adult victim from behind and hurling racially charged insults. he also threw dipping sauce at a child who was present, though fortunately, neither victim sustained any physical injury. Harper's actions did not go unnoticed as the police were alerted, but he managed to leave the premises before they arrived on the scene.
Following thorough investigative work, detectives from the Fremont PD's Crimes Against Persons Unit, who took over the case, confirmed it as a hate crime and identified Harper as the assailant; a warrant was swiftly issued for his arrest. They apprehended Harper on Tuesday, finding him seated alone in his vehicle at the intersection of Marshlands Road and Thornton Avenue, where he was arrested without further incident.
In subsequent legal developments, the Alameda County District Attorney's Office processed the case yesterday, charging Harper with Penal Code 422.6(a) – hate crime in violation of civil rights and Penal Code 242 – battery, as per the press release, the accused is currently detained at Santa Rita Jail awaiting further proceedings.
