Woman tries to run over Black mail carrier after using racial slur, spraying victim with hose, police say

MIAMI (Gray News) — A woman in Miami is behind bars after she allegedly tried to run over a Black mail carrier in what police said was a racially motivated attack.

According to WPLG, the attack happened Tuesday afternoon near suspect Lourdes Maria Portugues’ home.

Police said a Black USPS mail carrier was walking her route when a child approached her to collect mail.

WPLG reported that police said Portugues yelled at the child not to talk to the mail carrier and called the woman a racial slur.

Portugues then allegedly sprayed the carrier with a hose, got into her vehicle and tried to run her over multiple times as the victim ran.

Portugues then allegedly threatened to shoot the mail carrier. The child told police Portugues went inside her home and loaded a gun.

Police said witnesses supported the victim’s statements.

According to online jail records, Portugues, 34, was arrested and booked into the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center.

Records show she is charged with two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon with prejudice.

Her bond has not yet been set as of Wednesday afternoon.