Asian 7-Eleven worker punched in face in Manhattan; hate crime investigation underway
MIDTOWN, Manhattan (WABC) -- The NYPD Hate Crimes Task Force is investigating after a worker at a 7-Eleven store, who is of Asian descent, was punched in the face Saturday in Manhattan.
Police say the worker confronted a man who was allegedly trying to steal merchandise from the store at the corner of 8th Avenue and West 39th Street just before 6 a.m.
According to police, before the suspect punched the worker, he yelled, "you Chinese (expletive)" and then ran off.
The victim suffered bruising and a small cut to his left eye. He refused medical attention.
The assault is being investigated as a hate crime.
It's the latest in a rash of attacks in New York City and across the country against people of Asian descent.
Rallies were held Sunday in a show of solidarity with the Asian American community.
People gathered in times square for a 'Stop Asian Hate' demonstration and an even larger show of support happened along the Brooklyn Bridge.
Hundreds of people participated in a march there calling for an end to the violence.
According to police, there have been at least 33 anti-Asian hate crimes in New York City already this year.
On Tuesday, police say a man yelled anti-Asian slurs at a 44-year-old woman and her three children, spitting at her and kicking her cellphone off a subway train.
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