via Wikimedia Creative Commons by Stilfehler
Asian American leaders rallied outside the District Attorney’s office in New York Monday calling for a hate crime charge in a recent stabbing, reports ABC7.
Salman Muflihi, 23, turned himself in after the incident which left a 36-year-old man in Chinatown in critical condition after being stabbed in the back.
Muflihi reportedly told a security guard he stabbed the man because he didn’t like the way he looked at him.
“Our communities are living in fear and anger and frustration,” City Council candidate Richard Lee said to ABC7. “Frustration because we see these incidents happening to our friends, our neighbors, our families, yet no hate crime charges are being brought forth.”
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The office of District Attorney Cyrus Vance said there’s no evidence Muflihi saw the victim’s face since the assailant attacked from behind.
New York Police had recommended a hate crime charge in the case after first declining to do so. The prosecutor ultimately overruled the police.
Muflihi faces charges of second-degree attempted murder, first- and second-degree assault, and third-degree criminal possession of a weapon.
According to ABC7, the suspect had previously been arrested for punching an Asian man.
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