(SAN FRANCISCO) Anti-Asian hate and violent incidents keep happening in San Francisco. Two Asian women became the latest victims on August 10 at a business corridor in the Richmond District. Both victims were walking alone and assaulted by the same suspect unprovoked separately one after one only a few stores apart.
From the surveillance video, it shows that the first victim was a younger Asian woman who tried to get away from the suspect. The second victim was a 65-year-old Chinese woman who suffered in the attack with apparent injuries. It is also learned that the first victim has not filed a report with the police department.
Police Chief William Scott announced at a town hall meeting in Chinatown on August 16 that the police investigators have identified the suspect in connection with the attacks on two Asian women in the Richmond District. Police are still looking for the suspect.
The latest attacks on two women were captured by the nearby surveillance camera. In accordance with the video, the younger woman, who was dressed in active wear and shorts, was first seen walking westbound on the 6100 block of Geary Boulevard at 11:37a.m. last Wednesday, August 10.
The suspect was seen walking eastbound on the 6200 block of Geary Boulevard facing the younger woman victim. Once both of them were crossing 26th Avenue, the suspect hit the younger woman with his fists multiple times. The victim had tried to run away from him. She eventually ran and didn't stay at the scene.
A number of people, mostly Asians around the area, saw the attack and showed alertness. After the first attack, the suspect continued walking eastbound onto the 6100 block of Geary Boulevard.
The second victim, who is 65 years old, was walking alone westbound from 25th Avenue onto the 6100 block of Geary Boulevard. An elderly man, who was walking with a cane and holding newspapers in his hand, walked in front of the second victim. He seemed like a white man.
The suspect walked past the elderly man and looked at the second victim face to face. Suddenly the suspect yelled at the victim with gestures. The victim turned her head and glanced at him. Then she sped up her steps to walk in front of the elderly man.
The suspect turned around and traced the victims from behind. The video footage indicates that the victim didn't know she was followed by the suspect. When the suspect caught up to the victim, he attacked her until she fell on the ground between the parked vehicles by the curbside.
When the victim was knocked to the ground, the suspect fled from the scene. Some eyewitnesses tried to stop him, but he ran away eastbound quickly on Geary Boulevard.
Witnesses came up to the victim to offer help and called for the police. San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) stated, "On August 10, 2022 at approximately 11:52 a.m., San Francisco Police Officers assigned to Richmond Station responded to the area of 26th Ave and Geary Blvd on a report of a battery that just occurred."
"Upon arrival, officers met with the adult female victim who told officers that she was walking on Geary Blvd when the unknown male suspect walked in front of her and punched her multiple times. The victim suffered non-life threatening injuries from the assault. Officers searched the area for the suspect to no avail," said Officer Niccole Pacchetti, a spokesperson of SFPD.
Pacchetti asked members of the public to call SFPD Tip Line at 1-415-575-444 to provide more information on the case. "No arrests have been made and this remains an open and active investigation.”
Wind Newspaper has tried to get in touch with the second victim who responded through her family member that she was not interested in media interviews.
Both attacks occurred at a business corridor in Richmond District. Two Chinese restaurants, Kirin Seafood and Cheung Hing, and a senior center are located in the area.
Mrs. Wong, who just walked by the area, said she was frustrated when she learned about those two attacks in the news. "Richmond District is no longer a safe neighborhood. The crime is getting worse and worse all these years citywide," said Wong who is a 30-year resident of Richmond District.
"Now I am in fear of living in San Francisco. Millbrae City Councilman Anders Fung was hit by a concrete block in June at the oceanside of Richmond District. A 70-year-old woman was assaulted in her senior housing lobby at Fisherman's Wharf area in July. City Commissioner Gregory Chew was attacked when he walked home in South of Market in August. Two younger and older women were attacked in my neighborhood," Wong said.
"No matter whether you are young or old, man or woman, it is not safe to walk on the streets in the city. The city has a responsibility to protect all Asians from assault, but the city has failed to do so," Wong added. "I have friends moving out of San Francisco because of the crime. I need to be extra alert by going out. I am in fear."
Two Asian women assaulted while walking on Geary Blvd in Richmond District (windnewspaper.com)
