A knife-wielding man allegedly mocked a group of middle-aged Asian men outside a seafood restaurant in Brooklyn before physically attacking them.
Violent encounter: On Tuesday around 8:30 p.m., three unnamed patrons, who were aged 51, 56, and 57, were chatting in front of Golden City Seafood on 20th Ave. when a man walked by and made fun of the way they spoke, reported the New York Post.
- According to authorities, the man mocked the victims for speaking Cantonese and then hurled anti-Asian slurs at them.
- When he was confronted about his behavior, the attacker punched one of the men in the face.
- Footage released by the NYPD shows the assailant taking out what appears to be a knife. The attacker is also seen spraying the victims’ faces with an unknown substance.
- The victims, who sustained minor injuries, were taken to Maimonides Medical Center for treatment, reported ABC7.
Suspect at large: The NYPD is offering a reward of up to $3,500 to anyone who can give information that leads to the suspect’s arrest, according to a tweet from NYPD Crime Stoppers.
- The attacker, who has not been identified, was described to look between 25 and 35 years old and appears to weigh 220 to 225 pounds.
- He was last seen wearing a gray hooded sweater, dark pants and black sandals and fleeing south down 20th Ave.
- Local legislators condemned the incident and demanded a swift resolution, according to the New York Daily News.
- “This was a despicable and horrific hate crime,” Councilman Mark Treyger (D-Brooklyn) wrote on Facebook. “We all have a responsibility to root hate and intolerance out. Let’s bring this person to justice, and I will also make contact with the Brooklyn district attorney’s office to ensure there is accountability once this person is apprehended.”
- Treyger urged anyone with helpful information related to the case to come forward and call Crime Stoppers at 800-577-TIPS.
Featured Image via NYPD Crime Stoppers
