Columbus, OH – On Thursday, March 20, 2025, a disturbing incident occurred at an apartment complex on the southwest side of Columbus where Faith*, an Ohio mother of Somali descent, was brutally attacked by four individuals as she waited for her children’s school bus. Her child and husband — a stroke victim — were inside the family home and heard the attack but could not stop it. The assault, rooted in intolerance, must be recognized and addressed as a hate crime.
CAIR-Ohio, Zamzam Women & Family Center, United Bantu of Ohio, and Ohio Immigrant Alliance call on state and local officials to bring the assailants to justice immediately. A fundraiser has been started to assist the family with therapy, legal support, and other needs during this difficult time.
Watch the video of this disturbing incident. Content warning: physical violence.
Well over a week ago, Faith, her family, and community leaders met with the Columbus Division of Police but to date, no charges have been filed. The timeline of events is detailed after these quotes from organizational leaders.
Khalid Turaani, Executive Director of CAIR-Ohio Columbus, Cincinnati and Dayton Chapters, said: “This attack is not an isolated incident, but part of a broader pattern of discrimination and hostility that marginalized communities face daily. Despite our efforts to remedy the situation, we’ve yet to hear back from law enforcement. We demand that CPD fully prosecute the assailants, review all CCTV footage, and ensure officers receive proper cultural competency training to serve our diverse community.”
Deqa Haji, Executive Director of Zamzam Women & Family Center, added, “No mother should fear violence after dropping her kids off at the school bus. This brutal attack against an Ohio mom is heartbreaking and unacceptable. Similarly, CPD’s poor handling of this case is concerning. Immigrant families come to this country seeking safety and opportunity — they deserve to feel secure in their homes and communities. We stand in solidarity with the victim and her family, and we echo the urgent calls for a thorough investigation and swift justice. Hate has no place in our neighborhoods.”
Lynn Tramonte, Executive Director of the Ohio Immigrant Alliance, added, “Just like this Ohio mom, I have taken my kids to the school bus stop and come home, ready to start the rest of my day. Being violently attacked outside of your home — what is supposed to be a safe place — by your own neighbors destroys everything about the idea of home. We should be looking out for each other; that’s how we build strong communities. This family deserves healing and justice, and the Columbus community deserves accountability. The Columbus Division of Police must take a strong stance against all acts of physical violence, and make it clear that anti-immigrant hatred has no home in this city.”
Ali Hussein, President of United Bantu of Ohio, added, “We are shaken by this attack and are working around the clock to address concerns. Let’s be clear, this was a violent hate crime. What isn’t clear is what’s being done to bring these assailants to justice. It’s been nearly 2 weeks since we met with CPD, yet no one has been arrested and we have yet to receive answers to our questions.”
Timeline of Events
On the morning of March 20, Faith walked her youngest children to the school bus stop and returned home. Outside of her apartment, a group of neighbors accused her of touching their vehicle. The neighbors physically attacked Faith, in an assault that was not only unwarranted, but appears to have been driven by bias against her appearance and identity, particularly her hijab. One of the attackers said they would kill her and her family.
Upon arrival at the scene, officers displayed a lack of empathy and cultural awareness, engaging in an argumentative manner with Faith’s older child, who was forced to interpret the details of their mother’s assault to law enforcement.
Faith was transported to a nearby hospital, where she received treatment for her injuries, including a concussion. Despite barely being able to walk, she was discharged with only pain medication and an ice pack.
This incident has caused profound trauma, not only to Faith but also to her family. Her husband, who is disabled due to a previous stroke, faces additional challenges in coping with this ordeal. He was present inside the home during the attack, but unable to assist his wife due to his disability. Their youngest children were also present, and older children witnessed the aftermath of the assault upon arriving home from school.
On March 28, the victims and community leaders met with the Columbus Division of Police, including First Assistant Chief of Police LaShanna Potts and Assistant Chief of Police Gregory Bodker, who committed to investigating the incident and charging the assailants. The assailants are known to both the police and victims, and were made to leave their apartment complex due to the incident.
Despite the documentation of the assault, which included a threat to kill the victim and her family, the Columbus Division of Police has yet to issue any arrests. The lack of response from law enforcement has exacerbated the family’s distress. In addition to Faith’s physical injuries, the emotional and psychological impact of the assault is severe, leaving the victim and her family frightened and frustrated by CDP’s slow response to this violent anti-Muslim attack. Leading organizations established a fundraiser to assist Faith and her family in their healing journey.
Demands for Accountability and Justice
The actions of the assailants are inexcusable, and leading Ohio organizations support the victims’ demand that this case be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
We urge law enforcement to subpoena the CCTV footage from the apartment complex immediately, as it may provide crucial evidence of the attack. The four assailants must be arrested without delay to ensure justice for Faith and her family.
Given the horrific nature of this assault, we call on the Columbus Division of Police and local authorities to take immediate action, including:
- Fully prosecuting the assailants with appropriate charges for this hate crime.
- Subpoenaing and reviewing all available CCTV footage from apartment complex and surrounding businesses.
- Ensuring that law enforcement officers receive proper training in cultural competency and sensitivity, to better serve our diverse community.
Faith and her family deserve justice and support in their time of need. We stand in solidarity with them and will not rest until all of the assailants are brought to justice. If you have any funds to spare, please donate to help the family access counseling, legal, and other support.
For further information, please contact Khalid Turaani at (313) 888-1111 / kturaani@cair.com or Lynn Tramonte at (202) 255-0551 / ltramonte@ohioimmigrant.org.
*We are using an alias to protect the family’s privacy.
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