Charges against a woman involved in a physical altercation at Red Apple Nail Salon have been dropped.
Video of a fight in a Brooklyn, New York nail shop went viral in early August after a group of Asian women surrounded a black customer, Christina Thomas and began striking her with a broom. A second woman who intervened was also smacked multiple times with the tool.
Thomas was arrested and originally faced misdemeanor charges of assault, but all charges have been dismissed.
“After reviewing all the evidence, interviewing more than a dozen witnesses and analyzing video footage, we dismissed the charges today against Ms. Thomas in the interest of justice,” Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez told the New York Daily News. “Our investigation, which started immediately after this serious incident took place, is ongoing.”
On Aug 3. police arrested the Black customers involved in the violent altercation, “but not the Chinese people who ganged up on them‼️‼️ Hitting them like animals” said Facebook user Mercy Maduka who captured the event. “They f**ked up a lady eyebrow and she refused to pay then a fight broke outttt.”
The following day after the incident, protesters gathered outside of the Brooklyn nail salon and demanded it be shut down. People also held signs up that read, “Black $$$ matters.”
One of Red Apple’s employees, Huiyue Zheng was charged with assault and weapon possession. She’s scheduled to appear in court September 25.
“I appreciate District Attorney Gonzalez and Judge Perlmutter for their thoughtful and ongoing investigation,” said the city’s Borough President Eric Adams. “The video I reviewed, shortly after it went viral, was deeply disturbing and unacceptable. I sincerely hope that this news helps them and our greater Flatbush community heal.”