Hate crime charges requested for Texas man caught on video punching black woman

Austin Shuffield, 24, was charged with aggravated assault, interference with a 911 call and public intoxication for an allegedly racist Wednesday morning attack

Austin Shuffield, 24, was charged with aggravated assault, interference with a 911 call and public intoxication for an allegedly racist Wednesday morning attack

A white former bartender who allegedly beat up a black woman and hurled racist abuse at her during a parking lot dispute early Wednesday morning, could be facing hate crime charges.

Austin Shuffield, 24, of Deep Ellum, Texas, was charged with aggravated assault, interference with a 911 call and public intoxication, all misdemeanors, following the incident.

Police say Shuffield is the man seen on video savagely punching a black woman identified as L'Daijohnique Lee, 24.

The video shot by a bystander went viral on social media and caught the attention of high-profile civil rights attorney Lee Merritt, who contacted the victim and says he is working with her to ensure her attacker is held accountable.

'It made my blood boil,' Merritt told the Daily Mail about seeing the video for the first time.

The attorney said Lee was still recovering in the hospital Friday morning after suffering a concussion and 'cranial swelling.'

He also said the initial charges against Shuffield weren't severe enough for what he was seen doing on video. 

'Our office is speaking with the Dallas Police Department and the Dallas County District Attorney's office to ensure all appropriate charges are pursued, including felony assault, firearm and hate crime-related charges,' Merritt said via text message.

Police were called to the scene of the attack at 4.26am Wednesday.

Shuffield is seen punching L'Daijohnique Lee, 24, in the face during a parking lot dispute early Wednesday morning

Shuffield is seen punching L'Daijohnique Lee, 24, in the face during a parking lot dispute early Wednesday morning

Lee said Shuffield confronted her for

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