Police in London are searching for a man and woman accused of racially abusing and pepper spraying a mother who was with her children. The shocking incident took place on the evening of October 11 at Bond Street Underground station and has been labeled a racially motivated assault.
According to the Evening Standard, the 34-year-old mother was entering the station with her sister and two kids, one child has a disability and the other was in a stroller. The trouble started when a blonde woman bumped into the stroller while walking through the station. Instead of apologizing, things escalated fast.
Police say the man who was with the woman began shouting racial slurs at the mother and her family. Then the woman grabbed the mother by the hair. When the victim tried to defend herself, the man pulled out a small bottle and said it was pepper spray before spraying it toward the family. The woman reportedly shouted more abuse and made obscene gestures before they both fled the scene.
In the UK, pepper spray is considered a firearm-type weapon. Simply owning it can lead to six months in jail. Using it during a hate crime can mean at least two years behind bars.
Soon after the story broke, online users started identifying the suspects as Philip Ostermann, an associate director at a Munich private equity firm, and Melissa Rein Lively, a known Trump supporter. She once came close to being hired as a White House spokesperson during Trump’s presidency. Rein Lively has also been linked to political figures like Tulsi Gabbard.
Since the news spread, Rein Lively has locked her Instagram account and wiped her other social media profiles. There’s no sign that she or Ostermann have contacted the police or turned themselves in. Some even fear political connections could be used to shield her from legal consequences.
Still, people are hoping justice will be served. If the reports are accurate, this attack was cruel and cowardly, and the woman responsible deserves to face the law for what she did.