Police Open Investigation Into Sesame Place Confrontation

LANGHORNE, PA — Police in Middletown Township have opened an investigation into a confrontation that happened Monday at Sesame Place and are asking for the public's help to identify a woman involved.

The incident gained prominence after a video began spreading online. The video was shot by a Philadelphia woman who said she believes she was targeted by the other woman because she was wearing traditional Muslim garments.

Zafirah Moore said the woman — who is seen cursing at Moore, making obscene gestures and appearing to grab or shove her phone in the video — also told her to "go back" to where she came from.

"We were made aware of the incident today and initiated an investigation into the incident," said Middletown Township Police spokesman Lt. Stephen Forman. "This afternoon, police interviewed witnesses to the incident and family of Ms. Moore. We hope to interview Ms. Moore in person soon. We are working to identify the subject of the investigation and interview her as well."

He encouraged anyone who has information about the incident, or knows the identity of the woman shown in the video, to contact police.

Children can be heard crying in the background as the woman screams.

Moore, of Philadelphia, told CBS Philly that she believes the woman treated her so poorly because of her Muslim attire. She said the woman had been cursing at another patron and she asked her to stop because children were present.

Sesame Place kicked the woman out of the Langhorne theme park and banned her from returning, according to a spokeswoman.

"Sesame Place only welcomes tolerance, love and respect for others ... ," reads a statement from the park. "Creating safe and inclusive experiences for all guests – especially children and their parents – is our top priority. The Sesame Place family deeply regrets that any park guest would have this kind of experience in our park. It runs counter to everything we stand for."

Forman, of the police department, said officers were not called to the incident. He said that, at the time, "I do not know that the Sesame staff was fully aware of the nature and totality of the confrontation between the guests."

He said that once the police investigation is complete, it will be reviewed with the Bucks County District Attorney's office to decide whether any charges should be filed.