Two women say they were harassed by a Vermont man while walking on a sidewalk, with the confrontation escalating into an alleged assault that ended in an arrest. The incident, which was captured on video, has drawn widespread attention online because of the man’s alleged racist and anti-Muslim remarks and the physical confrontation that followed.
The video was posted by TikTok user @ishaashawty, where it has received several thousand views. The clip quickly spread across the platform, with many viewers condemning the man’s behavior and expressing support for the two women.
In the video, the Vermont man appears angry as he confronts the women, accusing them of blocking the sidewalk and preventing him from walking his dog. As the argument continues, he can be heard using profanity, making anti-Muslim comments, and directing other racist remarks toward the women. At one point, he knocks a phone out of one woman’s hand, leaving its back glass shattered.
According to the woman who shared the video, the confrontation did not end there. She alleged that the man verbally harassed her friend before kicking her, striking her with a dog leash, and breaking her phone. In a follow-up post, she said the man was arrested and later released on a citation. She also urged women, hijabis, and people of color to stay alert, writing that “there are people who are seething with hate simply because you exist.”
Vermont Incident Draws Widespread Condemnation
The video sparked widespread outrage, with many commenters describing the man’s behavior as hateful, disgusting, and potentially a hate crime. Many urged the women to contact law enforcement if they had not already done so, arguing that the alleged assault and property damage deserved criminal charges. Others expressed sympathy for the victims and hoped the man would be held accountable. “You girls be careful with these crazy people. You’re playing with fire,” one user wrote.
Some commenters also criticized the Vermont man’s remarks, calling them hateful propaganda rather than independent thoughts. Others argued he deliberately targeted women because they were easier victims, with one commenter suggesting he would never have confronted Muslim or Somali men in the same way. Several people encouraged the women to prioritize their safety, saying it is best not to engage with someone acting aggressively or unpredictably, especially if they could be armed.
Not everyone agreed on how the incident should have been handled after it happened. While many supported sharing the video to identify the man and raise awareness, others felt it should have been left entirely to police rather than posted online. Several users also tagged well-known social media creators in hopes the story would reach a wider audience and bring additional attention to the case.
If nothing else, the incident served as a reminder that an ordinary walk in Vermont can quickly turn into something far more serious. Sometimes a simple phone recording ends up documenting far more than anyone expected.
