A viral video showing a man being shoved, struck, and hit with groceries inside a Virginia supermarket has intensified scrutiny of alleged bias-motivated violence during the holiday season.
Weeks after the video spread online, Alexandria police announced a new hate crime and bias-incident policy aimed at standardizing how the department identifies, documents, and reviews these cases.
At a press conference, officials said the policy had been in development for more than a year and was tied to the department’s broader civil and human rights commitments. They stressed the work began well before the grocery store incident drew public attention.
What police say happened
The confrontation took place on the afternoon of Dec. 25 at a Giant grocery store on Duke Street in Alexandria. Police said a man was shopping when he was assaulted by a woman he did not know.
Investigators said statements made before and during the encounter led them to believe the victim was targeted because of his sexual orientation. Police said the woman pushed the man, shoved a shopping cart into him, and directed derogatory remarks at him.
The victim recorded the incident, and the video later circulated widely on social media. Officers responded to a 9-1-1 call reporting a fight inside the store, but police said the suspect fled in her vehicle before they arrived.
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Suspect identified and arrested
Police identified the woman as 34-year-old Shibritney Colbert of Landover, Maryland. Because she lived outside Virginia, Alexandria police said they worked with multiple agencies to locate and take her into custody.
Authorities obtained three arrest warrants and a summons. Police said Colbert was arrested on Jan. 8, 2026, and was being held at the Prince George’s County Jail while awaiting extradition to Alexandria.
Colbert faces charges including felony eluding, assault and battery, destruction of property, and driving an unregistered vehicle. Police said the case was also being reviewed for possible bias-based penalty enhancements under Virginia law.
A new policy for hate crimes and bias incidents
Alexandria Police Chief Tarrick McGuire said the department intends to respond aggressively to hate-motivated conduct.
“If you engage in this type of behavior, if you have hate and bias in your heart, we will prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law,” he said.
The department said the newly adopted policy sets formal standards for classifying and handling hate crimes and bias incidents. Police said the policy was developed with input from community advocates, civil rights organizations, and faith leaders across Alexandria.
Leaders involved in the process said the goal is to create consistency and accountability while strengthening public trust. Police also encouraged anyone who experiences or witnesses bias-motivated behavior to report it.
