A Florida man has been indicted in an attack on a Queens store owner last month in which he allegedly yelled that he "kills Muslims" before pummeling the owner, authorities say.
Piro Kolvani, 55, of Jacksonville, Florida, was arraigned Monday on charges of assault as a hate crime and harassment, the Queens district attorney's office said. He was released on his own recognizance and is scheduled to return to court next month.
Attorney information for Kolvani wasn't immediately clear.
The alleged attack happened inside Fatima Food Mart on 21st Avenue in Astoria on Dec. 5. The store owner, Sarker Haque, told NBC 4 New York at the time that his attacker looked over the newspapers and held one up. On the cover was coverage of the attack in San Bernardino.
The man's behavior turned erratic as he walked around the store asking for free items. He then started attacking Haque, punching him and throwing him to the ground behind the counter, Haque said.
"He punched me and I fell down, and then he said, 'I'm gonna kill Muslims," said Haque.
A customer walked in soon after and helped to restrain the suspect, who was later arrested, police said.
It's not clear why Kolvani was in New York at the time, or if he was expected to return to Florida pending his next court appearance on Feb. 11.
