Midtown detectives are looking for the bigot who shouted anti-Asian slurs at two people and assaulted them as they attempted to hop into an Uber vehicle last month.
The NYPD released on Friday morning images of the assailant sought for the heinous attack, which occurred at 1:30 a.m. on May 23 in front of 23 West 32nd St. in Koreatown.
According to law enforcement sources, the suspect approached the two victims — a man and woman, both aged 39 — as they attempted to enter a waiting Uber car, and began hurling anti-Asian epithets toward them.
Seconds later, police said, the hate-filled heathen spat at the female victim, then shoved the man to the ground and kicked him multiple times in his leg.
After bystanders who witnessed the attack intervened, authorities said, the bigot ended his assault and fled the location on foot.
The incident was reported to the Midtown South Precinct. The male victim suffered minor injuries to his leg, while the female victim was not physically injured. Police said that both victims refused medical attention at the scene.
The case was presented to the NYPD Hate Crimes Task Force, which is now leading the ongoing investigation. Anti-Asian hate crimes spiked nationwide during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, after unscrupulous politicians and media figures (including the former president) falsely scapegoated people of Chinese descent for the virus’ origination.
Last year, the NYPD reported 83 hate crimes targeting Asian individuals in New York citywide, resulting in 67 arrests.
As for the suspect sought for the May 23 attack in Koreatown, police described him as a man with a light complexion, a medium build and black hair, who was last seen wearing a white hooded shirt, blue jeans and gray shoes.
Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts can call Crime Stoppers at 800-577-TIPS (for Spanish, dial 888-57-PISTA). You can also submit tips online at crimestoppers.nypdonline.org, or on Twitter @NYPDTips. All calls and messages are kept confidential.
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