Elderly Asian Woman Punched More Than 125 Times in Alleged Hate Crime Attack, Suspect Charged With Attempted Murder

An arrest has been made in connection with an attack on a 67-year-old Asian woman in Yonkers, New York.

Tammel Esco, 42, was arrested Friday in connection with what authorities have described as a “despicable” act of violence, regional outlet WNBC reported this week.

A press release from the Yonkers Police Department states that officers were called to an apartment building on March 11 after receiving “reports of a dispute,” with initial info given to authorities focusing on the sight of a woman who was bleeding at the scene. When officers arrived, the victim—since described as a 67-year-old Yonkers woman—was observed to have sustained severe injuries to her face and was taken to a nearby trauma facility.

Following interviews with witnesses and to hers, as well as the viewing of surveillance footage and other evidence, detectives determined that the victim was on her way home when the suspect was seen in front of the apartment building. The suspect is then alleged to have called the woman an “Asian bitch” as she walked by him to enter the building. As she began the process of opening the lobby door, police said the suspect “approached from behind and punched her in the head,” at which point the victim fell to the floor. The suspect is then alleged to have punched the woman “in the head and face” more than 125 times before also stomping and spitting on her.

In a statement shared Monday, Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano condemned the attack, saying hate crimes are “beyond intolerable” in the city. He also applauded local police for “swiftly” making an arrest. “I expect the suspect to be charged to the fullest extent of the law for his heinous actions,” Spano added. “I continue to keep the victim and her family in our thoughts and prayers.”

Per the most recent reports, the woman is in stable condition after sustaining multiple injuries in the attack. Esco has been charged with attempted murder as a hate crime and assault as a hate crime, both felonies. Following his arraignment on March 12, a court date is currently set for March 25.