Prosecutors say a woman in San Jose accused of attacking a 4-year -old girl at a Walmart with a crowbar targeted the child because she was Asian, reports KGO/ABC7.
Witnesses say the girl was in a shopping cart when the attack occurred and that her father jumped in to protect the girl, holding the suspect down with the help of others.
A store employee told ABC7’s Matt Keller that the suspect yelled the girl deserved it as she was being arrested.
The suspect has been identified at 20-year old Maria Garate, a transient charged with attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon with a hate crime.
She faces life in prison if convicted.
“This is any parent’s worst nightmare,” said Lt. Jason Dwyer. “The father sees it happening right in front of him. Does what any father would do — jumps in and tries to stop it. He’s struck but is able to ultimately stop the attack.”
You can read reaction to the attack on KGO/ABC7.
