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Suspect strikes woman with hammer
The NYPD Hate Crimes Task Force is investigating the assault of a woman with a hammer in Hell's Kitchen.
NEW YORK - The NYPD and the NY State Hate Crimes Task Forces are investigating a vicious attack on two Asian women in Hell's Kitchen.
Video of the assault on Sunday at about 8:40 p.m. shows the suspect approach the women as they walk past 411 West 42nd Street. Cops say the suspect demanded the women take off their face masks. The individual then swings a hammer at the 31-year-old woman multiple times, striking her in the head, said police. The 29-year-old woman intervenes when the suspect attempts to strike her multiple times.
The 31-year-old woman then grabs the hammer as she appears to exchange words with the suspect. The women begin to walk away as the suspect returns. Cops say she then fled on foot but not before putting on her shoes and picking up what appears to be a wig.
EMS responded to the location and transported the 31-year-old female victim, who sustained a laceration to the head, to NYU Medical Center.
The NYPD wants to find the assailant who attacked two women with a hammer. (NYPD)
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Anyone with information in regard to the assault is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website at WWW.NYPDCRIMESTOPPERS.COM, or on Twitter @NYPDTips. Police say all calls are strictly confidential.
The suspect swung a hammer at the 31-year-old woman multiple times, striking her in the head, said police. (NYPD)
NY Gov. Andrew Cuomo decried the assault in a press release and offered the NY State Police Hate Crimes Task Force to assist in the investigation.
"I am disgusted by this violent attack in Midtown Manhattan, the latest seemingly senseless and despicable hate crime against Asian Americans in this state," said Cuomo. "We will do everything in our power to protect those who are vulnerable to these attacks and to hold cowardly perpetrators accountable to the full extent of the law."
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