Palo Alto Woman Arrested for Alleged Racial Hate Crime in Downtown Plaza
- JB Quinnon
- 3 days ago
- 1 min read
PALO ALTO, Calif. — A disturbing incident in downtown Palo Alto has led to hate crime and battery charges against a 50-year-old woman accused of launching a racially motivated attack on an elderly man.
Police say the incident occurred Saturday evening around 6 p.m. at Lytton Plaza, a popular gathering spot on University Avenue. According to authorities, a man in his 60s was seated in the plaza when he was suddenly confronted by a woman who spat on him and shouted a racial slur commonly used against Black people.
The man walked away to distance himself, but the woman allegedly continued her verbal assault. Officers arrived on the scene shortly after and located the suspect nearby. She was identified as Lisa Madden, a resident of Palo Alto.
Madden was arrested and booked on charges of battery and committing a hate crime. Police reported that she continued to shout racial epithets at the victim even while officers were present.
The case is now being handled by the Palo Alto Police Department, and investigators have not released further information about potential motives or prior incidents involving the suspect.
The incident adds to a growing number of reported hate crimes in the Bay Area and raises renewed concerns about public safety and racial intolerance in local communities.
