Police arrested a Mississippi man after he allegedly hurled antisemitic remarks and threw coins at Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy outside a Starkville pizza shop.
Starkville police spokesman Brandon Lovelady told TMZ that officers took 20-year-old Patrick McClintock into custody Monday on a disturbing-the-peace charge. Investigators identified him from a viral video that appeared to show him tossing coins at Portnoy and yelling “F*ck the Jews” on Friday. (RELATED: ‘Antisemitic People’: Jon Voight Calls Out Daughter Angelina Jolie, Says She’s Fooled By Propaganda)
“Every person has the right to feel safe and respected in our community,” Lovelady told the outlet.
“Offensive words alone are protected, but when behavior disrupts a public event or risks violence, the Starkville Police Department will take steps to help maintain safety and security,” he continued. “The State of Mississippi allows courts to impose enhanced penalties if a violation meets the criteria for bias-motivated or discriminatory reasons. This remains under investigation.”
(Photo by John Parra/Getty Images for Barstool Sports)
Portnoy and his Barstool crew were in Starkville for the Mississippi State-Georgia football game, and he was filming a “One Bite” pizza review when the confrontation occurred.
TMZ reported that McClintock “stared blankly” during his mugshot. Police told the outlet he was processed and released, though it’s unclear whether any conditions were placed on him.
Portnoy told “CBS Sunday Morning” that he encounters antisemitism daily in a segment over the weekend.
Authorities have not released information on McClintock’s court date.
