Man charged with hate crime for using racial slurs during argument at East Hartford 7-Eleven

A man was recently charged with a hate crime for allegedly using racial and ethnic slurs toward both a Black and Middle Eastern man during a vulgar tirade in an East Hartford convenience store.

Michael Andrew, 52, faces one count each of illegal ridicule on account of race, color or creed and second-degree breach of peace in connection with an incident on June 16, 2022, at the 7-Eleven at 393 Burnside Ave., according to the arrest warrant affidavit.

Andrew, who is described as white, argued with the clerk at the store, who is described as Middle Eastern, and allegedly used an ethnic slur toward him that prompted another customer to tell Andrew to stop using slurs, the affidavit said.

Andrew then allegedly used the N-word toward the customer, who is described as Black, according to the affidavit. He also allegedly grabbed at his genitals while yelling vulgar obscenities toward the customer and the customer’s girlfriend, the affidavit said.

When the victim and his girlfriend tried to leave the convenience store, Andrew allegedly ran up to her car, smacked the rear windshield and spit on the vehicle, trying to initiate another altercation, the affidavit said. He then called the victim a vulgar obscenity and once again referred to him using the N-word.

According to the victim’s girlfriend, Andrew called her an “(N-word) lover” during his tirade, the affidavit said.

An East Hartford police officer responded to the 7-Eleven after the victim and his girlfriend called the police. The owner of the store provided video surveillance to investigators, which corroborated some of the allegations, though it did not record audio, the affidavit said.

The officer found Andrew the next day walking along Tolland Street and was able to speak with him. Andrew, the affidavit said, conceded to using slurs and other vulgar language during the argument at the 7-Eleven as alleged. He was warned by an officer he would be arrested and charged with trespassing if he returned to the store.

Andrew was released without having to post bail after he was arrested on May 23. He is scheduled to be arraigned in Manchester Superior Court on July 25.