Man who attacked at least 7 Asian women in New York City indicted on felony hate charges
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As hate crimes against the Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) community continue nationwide, individuals committing these crimes are slowly being held accountable. Most recently, a suspect connected to a series of attacks on Asian women in New York City has been indicted. Steven Zajonc, 28, now faces six felony counts of third-degree assault as a hate crime and seven counts of second-degree aggravated harassment after attacking at least seven Asian women, prosecutors said Monday.
According to police officials, the attacks occurred in February. Zajonc allegedly punched and hurt his victims without provocation within a three-hour frame. The victims were between the ages of 19 and 57. Zajonc was arrested on March 2 after he was identified in NYPD video surveillance footage of the attacks by an employee of a New York public library.
“These attacks on seven New York women, each fueled by anti-Asian hate, are yet another sobering reminder of the demonstrable fears AAPI communities, particularly AAPI women, in our city continue to face,” Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said in a statement.
At least six of the women suffered injuries including cuts and bruises to the face, and one was even treated at the hospital for a concussion after being knocked unconscious when attacked.
According to police, Zajonc’s first attack on Feb. 27 took place around 6:30 PM. Within 10 minutes, he “approached a 25-year-old female Asian victim and struck her in the face and the back of her arm with a closed fist,” police said.
“As alleged, within just three hours, Steven Zajonc selectively ambushed seven Asian women in separate assaults, some of which he struck from behind — for no other reason than their perceived race,” Bragg said.
Arrested in March, Zajonc is due back in court on July 18.
At this time the district attorney has 27 open cases related to anti-Asian hate crimes.
The New York State governor’s office said the number of hate crimes targeting the Asian American community in the state rose by 150% from 2020 to 2021. The state data follows federal data also indicating a rise in hate crimes against the AAPI community nationwide. According to a report released by the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism, anti-Asian hate crimes rose by 339% in 2021 compared with 2020. The report echoes other data, including a national survey from Stop AAPI Hate, which found that more than 10,000 incidents were reported at the start of the pandemic.
According to The New York Times, race was the most common reason for a discriminatory incident to occur, listed as a reason in 91.5% of the 10,905 reports.
The AAPI community needs our support now more than ever, whether it be checking in on our family and friends, spreading awareness of COVID-19 misconceptions, or contacting members of Congress to do more to fight anti-Asian hate. Check out this guide on resources and ways to support the AAPI community and our Asian friends. Hate is the real virus, and we must end it.