Coronavirus Fear? Suspected hate crime targeting Asian man caught on camera
https://abc7ny.com/5989856/
Updated 3 hours ago
SUNSET PARK, Brooklyn (WABC) -- Disturbing new video shows what appears to be a racially-motivated crime sparked by fear over the coronavirus.
The video shows a man on a New York City subway train arguing with a fellow passenger who is Asian, then spraying Febreeze air freshener at that passenger.
Much of the incident was recorded on a cellphone by another passenger and posted on social media.
The NYPD is now investigating the case as a possible hate crime.
It happened Wednesday morning on the N train in Sunset Park, Brooklyn.
"I am just disturbed when I see these bigoted attacks against our Asian brothers and sisters and our Asian New Yorkers," said public advocate Jumaane Williams.
The video shows the suspect yelling at the fellow passenger, "Tell him to move... because he is standing right (expletive) next to me!"
Moments later the suspect picks up a bottle of Febreze and sprays it toward the man.
In a second video, the
Asian passenger confronts the man, asking, "Why can't I sit next to you?"
The suspect responds, "You're being dumb right now."
MTA Chairman Pat Foye said the incident was wrong and
he hopes the perpetrator is caught.