Victim of NYC racist boot fire attack tells News she needed to stand up to social media trolls
Share this @internewscast.com

A woman whose footwear was set ablaze by a pair of bloggers known for their support of MAGA expressed to the News that she felt sexually violated during an encounter that escalated into racial hostility in Manhattan. She emphasized that apprehending these individuals could prevent another person from enduring the distress she continues to face.

“They just approached me out of the blue,” recounted the 54-year-old social worker about the February 19 incident. “Complete strangers walked up to me and said, ‘You’re beautiful, can I kiss you?’

I responded with, ‘No.’

One of them then remarked, ‘If you were my slave, I could kiss you,’ and that’s when it all began.”

Still celebrating her birthday from the previous day, the woman, 54, was in Chelsea picking up a cake when she encountered these individuals. One of them sported a red “Make America Great Again” hat at the intersection of W. 26th St. and Seventh Ave. She has chosen not to disclose her full name.

According to police, Michael Santiago, 31, and Michael James, 33, verbally attacked the Black woman with racist slurs, which were captured on video and shared online.

“I want to f— you right up your n—– a–,” the man in the MAGA hat screamed. “I want to f— a slave. You’re my slave. You’re my slave.”

Michael James, left, and Michael Santiago are pictured in police custody.

Barry Williams/ New York Daily News

Michael James, left, and Michael Santiago are pictured in police custody outside the NYPD Midtown South Precinct station house on Thursday Feb. 26, 2026 in Manhattan, New York. (Barry Williams/ New York Daily News)

At one point, one of the provocateurs asked to kiss the victim’s pair of boots. Instead, she said, he knelt down and set one of her boots on fire with a hand-held blowtorch.

The hair on the boots were singed but the flames quickly petered out, a video of the incident shows. Cops say the $89 pair of boots were ruined.

Both men were arrested almost a week later and charged with attempted assault, criminal mischief and menacing, all as hate crimes, as well as aggravated harassment, arson and criminal tampering.

The two suspects live in the same apartment building on the Upper East Side, according to cops.

The social worker said she is still traumatized by the afternoon attack.

“I was shocked. I was very shocked,” she said. “I never heard these words before. No one has ever called me a slave, ever. I’m a very honorable woman. I went to college. At the end of the day, men don’t talk to me like that. These men, telling me to suck their d—-, calling me a slave, calling me a bitch, all of these things,. I’m over a certain age. I’m 54. At my age, I don’t have encounters like that.”

Michael James is pictured in police custody leaving the NYPD's Midtown South Precinct stationhouse on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026, in Manhattan, New York. (Barry Williams/ New York Daily News)

Barry Williams/ New York Daily News

Michael James is pictured in police custody leaving the NYPD’s Midtown South Precinct stationhouse on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026, in Manhattan, New York. (Barry Williams/ New York Daily News)

If she hadn’t stood up to them, she said, things could have escalated with some other woman.

“If they had not tried to kiss me, if they had not tried to set me on fire, this wouldn’t have ended where it did,” she said. “The problem wasn’t that they were racially derogatory. The problem is they were physically assaultive. They invaded my space sexually. They were 360 degrees of wrong.”

The charges against Santiago and James are being prosecuted as hate crimes, officials said.

The woman, who also took video of them, said she felt compelled to stand up to them.

“One of the reasons I chose to step forward is because I am an older woman,” she said. “What if a 19-year-old woman had to go through this. She doesn’t have the same life experience as me. They didn’t start off burning people. They started trolling and doing things. But this time they burned somebody, so what comes next? How much more are we going to allow them to do.”

The internet trolls livestream videos of themselves appearing to harass everyday New Yorkers, provoking outrage, and often finding themselves being thrown out of apartment buildings, bodegas and other establishments.

For both suspects, the Thursday arrests were their first run-in with the law, cops said.

Michael Santiago is pictured in police custody leaving the NYPD's Midtown South Precinct stationhouse on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026, in Manhattan, New York. (Barry Williams/ New York Daily News)
Michael Santiago is pictured in police custody leaving the NYPD’s Midtown South Precinct stationhouse on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026, in Manhattan, New York. (Barry Williams/ New York Daily News)

The duo has about 1,670 subscribers on YouTube, 1,400 followers on Kick and just 295 followers on Instagram.

Despite the hate speech, the social worker said the incident is beyond racial or political for her.

“The Republicans are all saying he’s a Democrat,” she said. “I’m not into that. I believe in families, I believe families should be able to walk down any block in New York City and be OK.”

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
DeSantis doesn’t rule out a 2028 presidential run: ‘We’ll see’ 

DeSantis Hints at Potential 2028 Presidential Bid: “We’ll See

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis recently hinted at the possibility of another bid…
Police officer shot by colleague in armed showdown at home could have killed brothers in blue: prosecutors

Prosecutors Allege Officer Shot by Fellow Officer During Armed Confrontation at Home, Potentially Endangering Other Officers

This article contains discussions on suicide. For support, please reach out to…
In Harlem living room, grieving mom's jazz tradition blends heart and soul

Harlem’s Heartbeat: A Mother’s Jazz Legacy Resonates Through Grief and Melody

HARLEM, Manhattan — Nestled in a cozy third-floor apartment at 555 Edgecombe…
Eric Swalwell learns fate of run for California governor after judge rules on lawsuit

Judge’s Decision Reveals Eric Swalwell’s Future in California Governor Race

In a recent decision, a judge in Sacramento dismissed a lawsuit aimed…
Shanann Watts' father says family faced years of 'evil' online hate after Chris Watts murders

Shanann Watts’ Father Speaks Out: Battling Years of Online Hate Following Chris Watts Tragedy

Although Chris Watts’ guilty plea in 2018 brought an official end to…
NJ man crawls through window, attempts to sexually assault girl before being subdued by resident: police

Heroic Intervention: NJ Resident Stops Intruder’s Attempted Assault on Young Girl

A New Jersey man faces serious charges after allegedly breaking into a…
Family sues La Mirada senior living facility after Jonathan Michael Alvarado charged with rape of CA Alzheimer's patient

Family Files Lawsuit Against La Mirada Senior Living Facility Following Rape Charge Involving Alzheimer’s Patient

A man, aged 39, has been taken into custody and faces charges…
Trump says US and Iran are having 'constructive conversations' to end war — but they still aren't talking directly

Trump Announces ‘Constructive Conversations’ Between US and Iran Aiming to Resolve Conflict, Despite Lack of Direct Talks

President Trump has decided to back down from his threat to “obliterate”…
A car drives down a freeway in reverse.

Repeat Offender with Over 10 Prior Convictions Arrested for Driving in Reverse on Highway, Police Report

An individual known for repeated offenses was captured on video driving in…
Atlanta airport reports 5-hour TSA lines

Atlanta Airport’s TSA Woes: Navigating 5-Hour Security Delays

WASHINGTON — On Sunday, passengers at the globe’s busiest airport faced grueling…
Downtown LA mass stabbing at Zaya sparked by fight over bill

Shocking Downtown LA Stabbing: Bill Dispute Escalates into Violence at Zaya

A dispute over who should cover the brunch bill led to a…
Gavin Newsom dines with Epstein-tainted Bill Clinton

Governor Gavin Newsom Shares Dinner with Former President Bill Clinton Amid Epstein Connections

Bill Clinton recently visited California to enjoy a Sunday brunch with Governor…