Man Who Yelled Racist Slurs At Cop Arrested For Gun Possession

WEST VILLAGE, NY — A man captured on video during a racist tirade against an Asian NYPD cop during the Washington Square Park curfew protests was arrested Friday at the John F. Kennedy Airport on a weapons-related charge, according to a source within the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District.

Shermaine Laster, who has 13 prior arrests, was in possession of a gun when he spent time in Texas, according to court documents. Under New York State law, felons are not allowed to have firearms of any kind.

The arrest warrant was filed in the Northern District of Texas, but Laster was expected to make a court appearance in Brooklyn Friday, according to a spokesman for Brooklyn Federal Court.

The FBI investigation that eventually led to Laster's firearms-related arrest was started after he posted multiple pictures of guns to his Instagram account, according to court documents

Laster was in the news recently for hurling racist slurs at an Asian NYPD officer at the beginning of June. The Brooklyn resident was caught on video repeatedly called Officer Phillip Huynh a "c*****" after the NYPD member told Laster to leave Washington Square Park.

"You're not even from this country," Laster said during the racist outburst. "You piece of s---, you f------ c----."