A New Jersey man has been taken into custody for allegedly harassing a neighbor over a bullying incident involving their children, following a confrontation that gained attention online.
Thomas Diorio, 40, faces charges of harassment and bias intimidation after reportedly using offensive language at the L’Aquisha Spruill luxury complex in Mount Laurel around 6:30 p.m. on Monday.
During the dispute, Diorio is said to have referred to Spruill as well as other Black individuals in a derogatory manner.
Court documents indicate that during the altercation, Diorio repeatedly used the phrase “you guys” when addressing Spruill. It was noted that he seemed to have issues solely with people of color, as there were no similar problems reported with white individuals.
Witnesses watched as Diorio screamed at Spruill in the parking lot.
One could hear him yelling, “Get the fuck out of here.”
Diorio, dressed casually, confronted the woman aggressively.
When Spruill requested someone to call the police, Diorio reportedly shouted, “Get in the car.”
The video of the incident went viral, amassing over 1.5 million views since its posting early Tuesday.
Local police responded to an altercation that stemmed from a “past juvenile incident” at the complex, ensuring that both involved parties were separated.
Authorities noted that both Diorio and Spruill accused each other of misconduct but did not wish to pursue criminal charges against one another.
Spruill alleged that Diorio directed racial slurs at her, calling her derogatory names and demanding she leave the premises.
Additionally, she mentioned that her daughter faced bullying after Diorio’s children insulted her by calling her an “ugly African.”
When Spruill confronted Diorio about the problem between their daughters, he used the phrase “you guys.”
Diorio has denied that his remarks were racially motivated, asserting in comments on social media that the incident had nothing to do with Spruill’s skin color.
Diorio was arrested on Wednesday after video of the confrontation was submitted to the police.
Authorities reviewed the footage, which showed Diorio confronting Spruill.
He appeared in court in Burlington County on Thursday, where he was released but prohibited from contacting Spruill, based on court documents.
Diorio is set to return to court on July 15.
The mayor of Mount Laurel, Stephen Steglik, expressed support for Diorio’s arrest, highlighting the town’s ongoing issues with racism. He stressed that the quick action taken by the police sends a strong message against such behavior.
