Chicago Tribune: Lombard man charged with hate crime after allegedly spitting at man, yelling obscenities about Iran, prosecutors say
The Crave Cookies store in Lombard on March, 16, 2026. A west suburban man faces a hate crime charge after he allegedly shouted obscenities against Iran then spit and hit a man at the store. (Josh Boland/Chicago Tribune)
By REBECCA JOHNSON | rjohnson@chicagotribune.com | Chicago Tribune
PUBLISHED: March 16, 2026 at 7:34 PM CDT
A west suburban man faces a hate crime charge after he allegedly spat at and hit a man after shouting obscenities about Iran at a Crave Cookies in Lombard, DuPage County prosecutors announced over the weekend.
CAIR Chicago commended the police and state’s attorney’s office for quickly bringing hate crime charges in this “disturbing incident.”
Justin Ward, 34, of Lombard, was ordered held pending trial at a Saturday hearing. He was charged with a hate crime and aggravated battery in a public place, both felonies.
“The type of behavior alleged in this case will never be tolerated in DuPage County,” said DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin. “DuPage County is welcoming to all, and my office stands ready to file the appropriate charges involving any attack on another individual based on their race, religion, sexual orientation or any other individual characteristic.”
Ward allegedly started shouting at Ahmed Khan, 31, in the parking lot Friday around 9 p.m., and when he was ignored, followed him inside the bakery. Ward then yelled at Khan, “(expletive) Iran,” “This is America” and “I can’t (expletive) stand you Indians,” prosecutors said.
Ward then spat at Khan and hit him in the neck and face, prosecutors alleged.
Khan told the Tribune he was at the shop to grab a snack for himself and his wife before he started praying for Ramadan. At first, he said he was “confused” and “shocked” when Ward started yelling obscenities, especially because there’s a large Muslim community in Lombard.
But then he felt fear. He said he tried to do everything possible to de-escalate the situation.
Lombard police Chief Joe Grage also called Ward’s alleged actions “completely unacceptable” and said they “have no place here.”
“Acts of hate and racism go against the values we share as a community and will not be tolerated,” he said.