Attackers who held Missouri Muslim woman at gunpoint facing charges

Fatima Mohamed, a 19-year-old Muslim woman in Noel, Missouri was physically assaulted by two white people during a break from work, Arab American News reports.

The assault took place on October 3, but the two people, Michael R. Miller, 34, and Ashli M. Helmuth, 28, were just charged with first-degree assault and armed criminal action. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for next Wednesday.

Mohamed, who was described as wearing "Islamic attire," was leaving the park near her work when she was approached by Miller and Helmuth.

When she was driving off and heading back to work, Mohamed was cornered by the group of people who forced her to exit her vehicle, and assaulted her. The perpetrators reportedly fired shots in her direction and then "held her at gunpoint."

Prosecutor Bill Dobbs said that Miller then, "put the gun to her head and made further threats." He said, "I don't think it was an effort to hit her, I think it was an effort to frighten her."

Miller admitted that he was involved in the incident, according to an affidavit. While there were allegedly more than two people involved in the incident, Miller and Helmuth are the only two currently in custody.

They are presently being held at the McDonald County Jail on a cash-only bond of $2,500.

Miller's first court appearance is scheduled for December 6, Helmuth's for December 20.