Sketch released in Chinatown assault being investigated as possible hate crime

NEW YORK (WABC) -- Police have released a sketch of the suspect they are looking in connection with an assault that occurred Saturday, July 11 in Chinatown, and the incident is being investigated as a possible hate crime.

The incident happened around 10:40 p.m. on East Broadway, moments after 19-year-old Amina Razvi stepped off a bus from Maryland with her younger brother. Investigators say they were confronted by a man, who was seen on surveillance video shortly before the attack. He allegedly shouted anti-Muslim insults before spitting on her and punching her in the face.

He then fled the scene.

"He spat on her and then he punched her," said Mohammad Razvi, the victim's uncle and a Muslim community activist.

He says his niece was singled out because, like many of the family's neighbors in Ditmas Park, Brooklyn, she wore a traditional Muslim scarf and was speaking the Pakistani language known as urdu.

Razvi suffered a fractured jaw and was transported to Beth Israel Hospital in stable condition.

"At this moment, it's a hate crime," Mohammad Razvi said. "The guy just walked up to her just because she was wearing a scarf. Her jaw is broken, and she had surgery to reassemble both sides. So she cannot talk. She cannot open her mouth."

Mohammad Razvi is convinced the assault was an isolated incident by a man who may have been emotionally disturbed. But the family and police are appealing to the public for help.

"He's a very dangerous guy," he said. "Please, if you know anything, please contact the police."

Police described the suspect as a black man, approximately 5-foot-8 to 5-foot-10 and wearing a dark-colored hat, dark-colored pants, dark-colored shirt and carrying a plastic bag. The suspect can be seen in surveillance video walking on Eldridge Street in Chinatown Saturday night.

Anyone with information regarding this incident can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477).

All calls are strictly confidential.