A video of a Connecticut man caught in a racist rant against a family vacationing at a South Texas beach is catching fire on social media.
The family posted the video on YouTube denouncing the behavior.
Alexander Downing, 35, from Waterford, Connecticut was captured on cell phone video slinging slurs at members of the Alward family. Police say that Downing was intoxicated when he went on a verbal tirade. Noria Alward, 19, recorded the video.
According to the family, the incident began at the South Padre Island beach when Noria’s father was approached by two women seeking help in dealing with Downing. In the video’s description, Noria stated that his father told downing "please enjoy your time and have fun and let everyone else here enjoy their time."
That would unleash a series of back-and-forth exchanges between the suspect and Noria’s uncle.
On multiple occasions, Downing begins to yell Islamophobic and sexually suggestive remarks at the family in the presence of three children.
The edited video shows Downing coming in and out of his beach tent several times, arguing with the Alwards, who also yelled homophobic slurs at Downing.
Since the video was posted last week, it's been viewed and shared thousands of times, with many comments condemning Downing’s behavior.
A Council on American-Islamic Relations report released Monday points to a 57 percent increase in anti-Muslim bias incidents from 2015 to 2016.
“Don’t try to act like you’re innocent. Don’t try to f*** with me,” Downing told the family. “Guess what? You will never, ever, stop me or my Christianity from rising above your Sharia law.”
KENS 5 attempted to reach Downing by phone but the number listed has been disconnected.
Toward the end of the video, Downing is seen being arrested after the Alward family called 911. Moments later, Downing was taken to jail and charged with public intoxication.
The Award family said, in a statement, that the incident won’t keep them from returning to the beach.