Justin Ward Faces Hate Crime Charges After Allegedly Hurling Slurs at Muslim American Ahmed Khan, Incident Captured on Camera at Crave Cookies in Lombard, IL

In an unsettling event outside Crave Cookies in the suburb of Lombard, Illinois, a 34-year-old man is now confronting serious legal charges tied to a disturbing incident reported by both employees and a victim. The man, identified as Justin Ward, is accused of launching a tirade of racial slurs, seemingly under the influence, at the scene on Friday. This confrontation has led to him being charged with a felony hate crime and aggravated battery, as captured on video.

The footage reveals Ward targeting Ahmed Khan, a Muslim American resident of Lombard for over ten years. According to police accounts, Ward trailed Khan into the cookie shop on Roosevelt Road, where he allegedly spat on him while hurling racial insults. The entire episode was documented by Khan, who chose to record the incident.

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“I stood frozen in place because I didn’t want to escalate the action any further,” Khan recounted, reflecting on the tense moments as they unfolded.

Khan detailed that Ward appeared heavily intoxicated and became progressively aggressive, directing his hostility not only at Khan but also at the store’s employees. During the ordeal, Ward allegedly referenced geopolitical tensions, specifically the conflict in Iran, and even attempted to provoke a physical confrontation. Concerned for his safety, Khan took a defensive stance to avoid further escalation.

Khan says Ward seemed to be intoxicated and got more aggressive with him, as well as the employees at the shop, while allegedly talking about the war in Iran. Khan says the man tried to get into a physical altercation with him, and he was worried for his own safety.

Then, as police responded, Ward ran away.

“I felt like he was going to slam that glass straight into my face, because any of these decisions can end really horribly,” Khan said.

Police later arrested Ward at his home in Lombard. A judge then granted the state’s motion to deny pre-trail release for Ward, so he will remain behind bars until trial.

“It was actually really shocking. I’ve never had something that racist occur to me,” Khan said. “I want to thank the Lombard Police Department, because they’ve done a lot to help me really fast. I think justice was served really swiftly.”

Khan says it is disturbing to be the victim of a hate crime and is worried about the possible rise of racially motivated attacks against Muslims as the conflict continues overseas.

The Council of American Islamic Relations also responded on Sunday night, saying they welcome the decision to pursue hate crime charges, and they urge other Muslim Americans to remain peaceful while documenting any potential attacks.

“Everyone thinks that Muslims especially will just act really violently, and I just wanted to give an example that we as Muslims don’t do that. We’re not out to fight anyone. We’re not out to cause any issues,” Khan said.

Ward is due in court on April 6.