By Jim Emerson
FREMONT, CA — A suspect is in custody for allegedly attacking a mother and her two children,
inside a fast-food restaurant on Fremont Boulevard.
Marcus Harper, 22, of Union City, was booked into Alameda County Santa Rita Jail on April 15. Police consider the incident a hate
crime.
The victim was eating with her family on April 5 when Harper allegedly approached her table.
According to police statements, “Harper initially took food from their table and ate it in front of them. He then walked away from the table for a brief time, but then
returned and slapped the adult victim on her face while standing behind her.” Next the suspect made a disparaging comment about the family’s ethnicity. The family are Indian and Harper is black.Harper allegedly yelled at the woman and her family and threw a packet of dipping sauce at one
of the children.
Fortunately, neither the mother nor her children sustained injuries.
Fremont police responded to the restaurant at approximately 2:15 p.m. The woman and her
children were still there, but the suspect later identified as Harper left before officers arrived.
Detectives investigated and identified Harper as the suspect and obtained a warrant for his
arrest.He was found in Newark, sitting alone inside a vehicle, near Marshlands Road and
Thornton Avenue. He was placed under arrest April 15 at 9 a.m.
Misdemeanor-level charges were filed April 16 against Harper. His charges include battery,
cruelty to a child by inflicting injury, and violation of civil rights. Incidentally, Harper was
participating in a court imitated diversion program, following his arrest for battery in November
2024.
In February, he was arrested for hit and run resulting in property damage.
