Hate crime charges have been filed against a man accused of attacking three Korean American at Delores Park in San Francisco.
The San Francisco Standard reports Armando Sanchez Vazuquez is accused of screaming racial slurs and throwing a metal grate at his victims.
The 30 year old faces assault with a deadly weapon and elder abuse charges as well as a hate crime enhancement.
Among his victims was a 72 year old.
CBS5 reports Vazuquez entered a plea of not guilty at his arraignment. He could be sentenced to up to 10 years in prison if convicted.
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“I am taking the concerns of our AAPI community, especially our elders, to heart and want them and all of San Francisco to know that there will be accountability and consequences for people who choose to engage in hate and violence,” District Attorney Brooke Jenkins said.
During a news conference, she told reporters from the Chinese language media that based on the statement made by the suspect during the attack, the alleged crime appears racially motivated.
At one point he told his victims to “go back to China.”
AsAmNews is published by the non-profit, Asian American Media Inc. Follow us on Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube. Please consider making a tax-deductible donation to support our efforts to produce diverse content about the AAPI communities. We are supported in part by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the California State Library in partnership with the California Department of Social Services and the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs as part of the Stop the Hate program. To report a hate incident or hate crime and get support, go to CA vs Hate.
