New York police arrested the suspect who stomped on and punched a 67-year-old Asian woman more than 125 times in the head and face after calling the victim an "Asian b*tch."
The Yonkers Police Department revealed the incident in a news release on Monday and reports said that the victim was returning home on Friday evening when she saw the suspect in front of her building. Authorities identified the man as 42-year-old Tammel Esco.
Brutal Unprovoked Attack
The victim allegedly ignored Esco when she entered the vestibule of her apartment building and tried to open the locks, said police. However, as she was fiddling around with her keys, the suspect suddenly went in, approached the Asian from behind, and sucker-punched her in the head, causing her to fall to the floor.
The police department also released a surveillance video of the incident that showed the events of the brutal attack. In the video footage, Esco could be seen stomping on the victim seven times and punching her more than 125 times. Police also said that the suspect spat on the victim while she was on the ground, as per CNN.
Authorities were able to later arrest Esco and charged him with attempted murder as a hate crime and several other charges. Police responded to a call at around 6:15 p.m. on Friday after reports of a dispute left the 67-year-old Asian woman bloodied inside the vestibule of her apartment building.
Officials said the attack left the victim with facial bone fractures, brain bleeding, and multiple contusions and lacerations to her head. She was later transported to a hospital to be treated where she is expected to survive.
According to NBC New York, one witness said she called 911 when she saw Esco punching the woman while he was on top of her. Yvette Crespo said that she started knocking on the door, getting Esco's attention, causing him to get off of the victim. The witness said the suspect went out the door, went to the corner, put his hands up, and roared.
Attempted Murder as a Hate Crime
Neighbors said in interviews that the Asian woman never bothered anyone in the area and Police Commissioner John Mueller called the incident one of the most appalling attacks he had ever seen. He said he believes the suspect should be subject to the maximum punishment allowed by law.
Mueller said appropriate punishments on Esco will send a clear message that "hateful, violent behavior" will not be tolerated in the community. The official said his thoughts and prayers were with the victim and her family, saying he hopes she would make a full recovery.
Other people who lived in the building said the Esco was also a tenant, with one person saying he had a previous issue with the suspect. The neighbor said that his daughter had a previous incident with the suspect. He said that Esco stalked his daughter at night and then suddenly threw her through a window despite not being provoked by the young female, ABC7 NY reported.
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