AUSTIN (KXAN) – Police are working to arrest a man seen on video attacking a fruit vendor in northwest Austin.
The attack happened over the weekend at North Loop 360 and Spicewood Springs Road.
“So I was here Friday, and came back Saturday as usual, as I’ve been doing for the past three years,” said Rosie, the vendor. She asked us not to use her last name or show her face out of fear for her safety. She believes the attack was a hate crime.
This past Saturday, however, was far from typical. Rosie said a man set up a canopy near her stand, came up to her while she was with customers, and demanded she move.
“I tried to reason with him and tell him we could share the space,” Rosie said.
Then things escalated. Video from Rosie’s friend shows the man – who police identified as Lucas Spradlin – push over crates of peaches and then start pushing employees.
“He threw me on the ground and started punching me,” Rosie said.
She has to wear a wrist brace now, but it’s what the man said that stuck with her more than any physical injury.
“He started insulting me about my race and sexual orientation. I’m a two-spirit Indigenous person,” Rosie said. “Calling me all types of names. Being very derogatory.”
Police have a warrant out for Spradlin on three charges:
- Assault with Injury, Class A Misdemeanor (2)
- Criminal Mischief, Class B Misdemeanor
It is still too early to determine whether law enforcement will officially pursue prosecution of this as a hate crime. Hate crimes are defined in Texas as an attack “motivated by prejudice, hatred or advocacy of violence.”
“I’m just trying to do things in a good way. But people like him don’t listen, they don’t care about those things. they only care about hate. and hate doesn’t get you far,” Rosie said.
At the writing of this article, Spradlin was not in custody.