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A black man on a Metrobus attacked a 52-year-old disabled, homeless passenger, spitting in his face, and blaming the victim, who is white, for decades of slavery in the United States, police say.
The incident occurred on a Q1 bus, which had departed the Silver Spring Transit Center and was headed for the Shady Grove Metro Station. It was around 5 p.m. on Sunday, September 24.
According to court documents, Marquis Evans-Royster, 27, approached the disabled, homeless man, looked directly into his eyes and stated, "You owe me for making my grandmother a slave."
The victim remained calm and did his best to ignore the racially motivated comments. However, the confrontation became tenser when Evans-Royster allegedly began to rummage through the victim's pockets. A number of bystanders attempted to intervene, prompting Evans-Royster to charge at various passengers, spit in the victim's face and threaten to douse the victim with a cup full of urine.
"Who carries around a bottle a urine," Metrobus rider Desi Cureton stated with a confused look upon his face. "If I was the judge, I would send him for mental health evaluation."
The bus driver threatened to call the police, prompting Evans-Royster to exit the bus near the intersection of Veirs Mill Road and Connecticut Avenue. Yet, before fleeing, the 27-year-old allegedly snapped off one of the bus’ side view mirrors, valued at around $250.