Virginia brothers arrested for anti-Semitic assault on man wearing Star of David

Two brothers from the Appalachian Trail town of Damascus, Virginia are arrested after they are captured on video yelling anti-Semitic comments at a man wearing a Star of David.

The incident occurred Monday outside of Hey Joe’s, a restaurant owned by the father of the suspects, Joseph Killian, 33, and Henry Killian II, 35, the Bristol Herald-Courier reports.

Craig Johnston, who reportedly was hiking the trail, filmed the encounter and posted it to social media.

The town’s mayor, Jack McCrady, said in a Facebook post that while Johnston, whom he called the “not so innocent victim,” did not press charges against the brothers, the town did based on the video. “Nothing can justify the hideous statements by those involved. This does not represent Damascus or our citizens,” he wrote in the post. The mayor said the restaurant is due to close at the end of the month.

The men were charged with disorderly conduct and assault, and have not been given bail. Joseph Killian also was charged with assault and battery, for appearing to strike Johnston or his phone during the filmed encounter.

In the video, the brothers tell Johnston that he “should be in a f*ckin’ Jewish oven and die like your ancestors.” They also call him “Jewish scum” and tell him he is not welcome in the restaurant. They also threaten to “come and find you later.”

— JTA