Montgomery County Police Department tweeted Thursday that it’s investigating a video circulating on Twitter, showing a confrontation between a man and woman that occurred Wednesday in downtown Bethesda. In the video, the man uses racist rhetoric toward the woman.
Police tweeted, “The MCPD is aware of the video circulating on social media of a ‘road rage’ incident occurring in Bethesda. In the video, disturbing statements of a racial nature are made by an individual against an Asian woman. We have investigators looking into the event.”
Capt. Tom Jordan, a spokesperson for MCPD, told MyMCMedia the incident is believed to have taken place in the area of Woodmont Avenue at Bethesda Avenue. Jordan said it’s being investigated as a possible “hate bias incident.”
According to Jordan, the police did not receive a 911 call about the confrontation as it was happening.
“We were brought in after it [the video] was on the internet,” Jordan said.
The MCPD is aware of the video circulating on social media of a “road rage” incident occurring in Bethesda. In the video, disturbing statements of a racial nature are made by an individual against an Asian woman. We have investigators looking into the event.
— Montgomery County Department of Police (@mcpnews) May 28, 2020
Capt. Jordan said investigators have “several leads” to follow up on the incident, but he reminded community members that it’s better to call in the moment so police can investigate in the moment, especially when it comes to confrontations.
“We want to maintain the peace here,” Jordan said. “You never know where those confrontations are going to end up.”