Manhattan Woman Who Pepper Sprayed Muslim Uber Driver Revealed As She Insists: ‘I’m Not Racist!’

The Manhattan woman who allegedly attacked a Muslim Uber driver with pepper spray has been identified as a public relations assistant and former sorority girl.

Jennifer Guilbeault, 23, is accused of unleashing the mace on 45-year-old Shohel Mahmud during a hate-filled late-night drive in Midtown Manhattan on July 31.

Now Guilbeault, through her lawyer, has hit back after she was accused of a hate crime – and vehemently denies the ordeal was motivated by race or religion.

Originally from Northbridge, Massachusetts, the woman attended Manhattan College where she earned her bachelor’s degree in public relations, advertising and applied communications.

She served as VP Social Chair for her sorority, Sigma Delta Tau, and during her college years, she was pictured dressing up for parties with her glamorous friends, spending a semester abroad and receiving scholastic honors.

After graduation, she worked for D Pagan Communications – a public relations firm based in Melville, New York – which confirmed that her employment had been terminated.

The company took to LinkedIn to condemn the incident, saying: ‘We are aware of the actions of this former employee and we do not condone this behaviour.’

Her attorney, Michael J. Alber, told DailyMail.com that his client ‘should not be charged with a hate crime’ after Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg announced her arraignment Monday.

“This case should not be charged as a hate crime. Mrs. Guilbeault was not motivated by race, religion, national origin or any other discriminatory factor,” Alber said.

“This case must be looked at with all the surrounding circumstances, which includes the assessment of all evidence and lack of evidence,” adding that he and his client ‘look forward’ to examining the facts of the case.

“We look forward to working with the District Attorney’s office to fully investigate all facts in the proper forum, which does not embellish or exaggerate the allegations, especially where the integrity and credibility of allegations can be properly tested.”

“A full and fair review of the evidence will show that no crime was committed in this case and that a rush to judgment is not appropriate and is hurtful to all involved,” Alber added.

Bragg said Guilbeault “sensibly assaulted” Mahmud, who called 911 after experiencing a painful burn and redness from the pepper spray.

‘As alleged, Jennifer Guilbeault senselessly assaulted a Muslim Uber driver while he was just doing his job.

‘The victim is a hard-working New Yorker who should not face this type of hatred because of her identity. Everyone is welcome to live and work in Manhattan,” Bragg added.

Dramatic dashcam footage captured the entire incident as Guilbeault allegedly lunged at Mahmud and sprayed him in the face before pulling back his arm as he tried to push her off, while her friend sat in the backseat stunned by her actions.

Guilbeault and her friend sat in the back seat of the car while Mahmud spoke Arabic as they stopped at a red light.

Guilbeault then reportedly snuck up behind him and shoved the pepper spray in his face as he tried to fight her off, repeatedly saying, ‘What? what?’

She then tried to hold his arm down inside the car as Mahmud managed to break free and jumped out of the driver’s door.

As he did so, Guilbeault continued to point at him as her confused friend said, ‘Jen, Jen, what the hell?!’

Guilbeault then climbed into the front seat as the driver tried to sit back down, but quickly ran out.

Mahmud held the door open while standing outside the vehicle as Guilbeault repeatedly said ‘get him out’ as her friend restrained her.

The panicked driver then asked her why she attacked him as Guilbeault opened the backseat door and exited the car.

Afterwards, her friend was heard shouting ‘Jen, Jen, Jen! Why did you do that?’ before the two women grabbed their bags and left.

Mahmud suffered injuries to his neck, back and shoulder, along with reduced vision in his right eye, according to The New York Times.

Driving since 2017, he said it was the first time he had been attacked. Mahmud returned behind the wheel at the end of September.

Following the announcement of the hate crime charges, CAIR-NY, a chapter of the largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization in the country, said it ‘welcomed’ Guilbeault’s indictment.

“We welcome the hate crime charges in this case and thank law enforcement for sending a clear message that those who allegedly carry out bias-motivated attacks will face consequences,” CAIR-NY Executive Director Afaf Nasher said Tuesday.

Guilbeault was indicted in New York State Supreme Court on one count each of second-degree assault as a hate crime, third-degree assault as a hate crime and second-degree aggravated harassment.

She went on trial in August on charges of assault and battery as a hate crime, as Mahmud, a father of three from Queens, believes her actions were racially motivated. Guilbeault denied that claim.

Guilbeault pleaded not guilty to the charges and was released on Monday. She is due back in court in January.