A troubling incident unfolded in New York City when a man, accused of spitting in the faces of white women, was violently confronted by two street vigilantes. The suspect, Anthony Caines, 45, found himself in police custody on November 13 following what authorities described as a “serial spitting spree” over a two-day period in Brooklyn’s Williamsburg neighborhood, as reported by The New York Post.
One of the victims, who chose to remain anonymous, shared her distress with the media outlet, saying, “I just felt so violated. In my face, of all places. It was crazy, honestly.” This sentiment underscores the shock and discomfort experienced by those targeted in such an unusual and unsettling manner.
Court documents reveal that Caines allegedly launched these attacks on November 11 and 12, targeting unsuspecting women and spitting in their faces at close range. Such actions have been classified as hate-fueled aggravated harassment, indicative of the serious nature of these assaults.
One victim recounted the jarring experience, explaining, “I was completely caught off guard. It was in the morning and I was half asleep.” She described the unsettling moment when Caines approached her, spat on her, and continued on his way, leaving her to question, “What just happened to me? Am I supposed to be okay with this and go about the rest of my day?”
This disturbing series of events highlights the vulnerability felt by victims and raises questions about public safety and community response in the face of such brazen acts.
‘He came up, spit on me and kept going, and I thought, “What just happened to me? Am I supposed to be okay with this and go about the rest of my day?”‘
He ultimately pleaded not guilty to charges including aggravated harassment based on race or religion and walked out of custody the next day with an ankle monitor.
Instead, two unidentified men delivered their own form of justice, unleashing a brutal barrage of punches, kicks and stomps on a man who appears to be Caines – a revenge attack captured on video.
Anthony Caines, 45, was arrested in Brooklyn, New York, earlier this month for allegedly targeting white women and spitting in their faces
Caines was released from custody after his arrest, and a new viral video seemed to depict a vigilante-style beating perpetrated by two unidentified men
On Tuesday, X account NYC Scoop shared a 50-second clip of the violent beatdown outside of a hair salon.
In the footage, the man identified by the Post as Caines lies curled in a fetal position as two dark-clad men tower above him.
One vigilante pounds his lower body with kicks and stomps, while the other unleashes powerful punches to his head and neck area.
Throughout the assault, both men – their faces never visible on camera – laugh as they continue their onslaught.
Caines flails desperately, trying to shield his face with his forearms and elbows and screaming in pain as he attempts to escape.
After a few moments, the video shows Caines standing against the door, looking confused and disoriented, with a bloody gash above his left eye and blood streaming down his face.
‘Stop violating these females out here, you heard? We’re tired of that s***. You’re making us look bad,’ the man filming warned Caines.
Caines pleaded not guilty to the charges against him including aggravated harassment based on race or religion
The disturbing video depicted two men beating someone who is believed to be Caines. The NYPD said they haven’t yet received a report for the assault
The accused spitter doubled down, telling his attackers, ‘I went to jail, didn’t I?’
‘F*** jail,’ one of the men responded. ‘We’re worse than jail.’
One of the men lands a final strike and shoves Caines against the door, where he immediately raises his hands in defense before the video abruptly ends.
Caines, authorities told The Post, already has a criminal history under his belt, with prior arrests for domestic violence and contempt of court.
The Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office is still looking for additional spitting victims who have yet to come forward.
The NYPD also revealed that they have not received a report about the assault on Caines.
The recent crimes represent a disturbing trend of spitting attacks against women across the nation.
A similar incident occurred in Portland last Sunday when a woman said she was spat on while shopping at a popular bookstore.
‘I walked around the counter, and as I approached the pickup area, this man spat at me from about five feet away,’ the woman told local news outlet KATU.
‘It felt targeted, even though I don’t know who he is. For some reason, I was the chosen victim.’
