Police hunt suspect in bias slashing attack in Chelsea deli

CHELSEA, Manhattan (WABC) -- Authorities say a 40-year-old Hispanic man was slashed in the arm by a man who yelled "white" at him and slashed him in the arm in an ensuing scuffle in a Chelsea deli.

The victim was walking West 25th Street with his girlfriend when they passed by a man sitting on a stoop around 6 a.m. Friday.

The suspect, who is black, yelled "white" and several other unintelligible things as the victim, a light skinned Hispanic, and the woman walked by, according to investigators.

The couple continued on their way but the man followed them to Ninth Avenue before taking a swing at the victim. He missed, but a scuffle quickly ensued. The two fell to the ground as they wrestled with each other, police said.

The victim managed to free himself from the man and ran into the Empire Deli.

The suspect pursued him into the store, this time pulling a knife and swiping at his face.

The victim put his hand up to block the blade and suffered a slash to his left wrist.

The suspect then fled the scene. No arrests have been made.

The Hate Crimes Task Force is investigating the nature of the dispute.