MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. — A routine visit to a Target Starbucks allegedly turned into a frightening confrontation for a teenage customer after a woman suddenly approached him and began yelling before attacking him, according to police.

The suspect, identified as 43-year-old Chyvonne Palmer, had reportedly been sitting inside the Starbucks area when the teenager arrived.

According to a criminal complaint, Palmer suddenly stood up, walked toward the teen and began screaming at him. Police allege that she then struck the teenager twice with a cellphone, hitting him on the left side of his head and shoulder.

The attack was reportedly unprovoked, leaving the teen frightened and unsure why he had suddenly become the target of the confrontation.

Surveillance footage obtained by local media reportedly captured portions of the incident, including Palmer allegedly attacking the teen and later picking up a chair.

Woman Allegedly Returns With a Chair

According to the criminal complaint, Palmer initially returned to her seat after allegedly striking the teenager with her phone. But police say the confrontation was not over.

Palmer allegedly stood up again, grabbed a metal chair and moved toward the teen while holding it above her head. A witness told authorities that Palmer repeatedly shouted, “I hate them,” as she approached the teenager.

The criminal complaint specifically notes that the victim is Jewish and was wearing a yarmulke at the time of the incident.

Witnesses then stepped in, according to police, preventing Palmer from allegedly striking the teenager with the chair. The teen managed to escape the immediate confrontation by running into a men’s restroom, where he could avoid further contact.

Teen Says He Feared Another Attack

Police said the teenager told investigators that Palmer’s behavior left him in well-founded fear that she would continue attacking him and eventually strike him with the chair. The situation also disrupted normal business operations at the Target store.

According to the complaint, employees had to suspend their regular activities to deal with the disturbance, while other customers were reportedly affected by the alleged violent behavior.

Despite the confrontation, police say Palmer returned to her table again after the attempted chair attack.

The sequence of events has drawn attention because of the allegation that the suspect appeared to resume sitting normally after the confrontation.

Police Arrest Target Starbucks Suspect

Palmer was eventually arrested by local officers and taken into custody.

She is facing charges including battery, disorderly conduct and aggravated assault with prejudice, according to the case information provided by authorities.

The use of the term “with prejudice” in the reported charge is significant because prosecutors are also examining whether the alleged attack involved a bias or hate-related motive.

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The State Attorney’s Office and its Hate Crimes Unit are reportedly handling the case. During Palmer’s bond hearing, a Miami-Dade Circuit Court judge also imposed a direct restriction on where she could go.

“You cannot go to that Target under any circumstances, do you understand, ma’am?” the judge told Palmer.

Palmer is being held on a $12,750 bond.

Hate Crimes Unit Reviewing Alleged Motive

The alleged statements made during the confrontation are expected to be an important part of the investigation.

Police specifically documented the witness account that Palmer repeatedly said, “I hate them,” while approaching the Jewish teenager with the chair. However, the full circumstances and motive behind the alleged attack will ultimately be determined through the legal process.

The teenager was able to get away from the confrontation after witnesses intervened, and authorities later arrested Palmer. The incident has also renewed concerns about how quickly an apparently ordinary public setting can turn into a dangerous situation.

For the teen and those who witnessed the confrontation, the episode began as an ordinary visit to a Target Starbucks but ended with police involvement and criminal charges.

As the case moves forward, prosecutors will determine how the evidence, surveillance footage and witness accounts fit together and whether the alleged conduct meets the applicable hate-crime criteria.

What do you think about the witness intervention in this case? Share your thoughts in the comments.