A retired NYPD officer says a woman walked up and punched him in the face, leaving him bloody on his birthday. Apparently, she had an issue with his attire since, after punching him, she says she grabbed the hat off his head and yelled, “How dare you!?” There was one thing she overlooked, though.

Daniel Sprague, a retired New York City police officer, was enjoying his 50th birthday with family and friends at The Stage on Broadway bar in Nashville, Tennessee. However, the celebration took a shocking turn when a woman took issue with a special birthday gift he was wearing. According to Daniel, a woman punched him in the face over a red cap that resembled a MAGA hat, reported the NY Post. But there was a significant misunderstanding.

The situation could not have been more misguided. Not only was the woman unaware that she was assaulting a retired police officer, but she also failed to closely examine the hat. The hat did not say “Make America Great Again.” Instead, it humorously read, “Make Fifty Great Again,” commemorating Daniel’s milestone birthday.

The distinctive cap was a thoughtful birthday gift from his wife, one among a variety of playful presents she gave him. Other patrons enjoyed the gifts, taking photos and wishing Daniel a happy birthday. “People were just coming up to me appreciating the wordplay on the hat,” Daniel told WSMV.

But things took a wild turn when a woman at the bar decided she had enough. “At one point, a female came up from behind me, spun me around, and punched me in the face,” Daniel recounted. The punch caused a deep cut on his cheek, which he believed came from a ring or keys in her hand.

“Initially, I thought it was a friend, but then I got hit. I couldn’t believe someone could get that angry,” Daniel recalled, still surprised that his birthday gift triggered such a violent response. The woman clearly objected to the cap, shouting “How dare you!?” as she took it off his head after striking him.

Both Daniel and the woman were ejected from the bar before he could call the police. Unfortunately, the woman escaped and was not identified. However, Daniel filed a police report and is determined to press charges if she is found. “We cannot act violently because someone has a different political opinion,” he emphasized, urging for mutual respect.

Daniel’s response to the incident reflects his character. In a Facebook post, he asked readers not to respond negatively to any comments. He suggested that any rude remarks might come from friends with a good sense of humor or from misinformed individuals who should not be encouraged by arguing.

Sadly, this incident is not isolated. Similar episodes of aggression have occurred against people wearing red hats resembling the “Make America Great Again” slogan. Such behavior is not fitting for a civilized society. Instead, it’s essential to exhibit self-control and respect others, much like Daniel did by refraining from hitting back and promoting civility after the attack.