ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. – A Creve Coeur man appeared in court Monday morning for allegedly attacking a shopper in a nearby grocery store because he believed the victim was a foreigner.

According to the St. Louis County Police Department’s probable cause statement, the attack happened just before 6 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 21, at the Dierbergs market in the 12500 block of Olive Boulevard.

Witnesses identified the assailant as Shawn E. Singer, 31. Singer allegedly told police, “It was just me. I’m not saying anything else.”

After being handcuffed, police said Singer went off on a tirade targeting foreigners and the Chinese.

“I’m tired of foreigners, man. Walking all over the place, making our money cost so much more than it should. F—— people trampling over us. I’m next f—— going to China to take them down because they were part of the COVID vaccine, virus,” Singer was quoted as saying.

Officers then met with the victim, who was still at the grocery store.

The victim said he was walking down an aisle when Singer passed him in the opposite direction. He said Singer mumbled something toward him, which he didn’t understand.

The victim turned and asked Singer if he said something, and Singer allegedly replied, “Go back to your f—— country.”

Police said the victim asked what he’d done to Singer, who answered by raising his fists and swinging the victim.

The victim attempted to get away but stumbled to the floor. Police said Singer struck the victim in the face and upper body. A bystander tried to stop the attack but was unsuccessful.

Singer stopped striking the victim after being told the police were on their way.

Police said Singer made additional statements after his arrest, including: “Don’t blame this on me, man, there’s people who are from other countries that are taking jobs away from us”; “I’m speaking about jobs in construction, jobs in workplace, foreigners are taking over”; “Why you such a punk, man? Can’t you see what I’m trying to do? People from other countries trying to take our jobs.”

The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office charged Singer with fourth-degree assault motivated by discrimination. Singer remains jailed on a $40,000 cash-only bond.