NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — A 28-year-old man was indicted on hate crime charges in Manhattan criminal court Monday for assaulting seven Asian women in one night, the Manhattan District Attorney announced.
Steven Zajonc began his February 27 string of unprovoked attacks at 6 p.m. and continued until around 9 p.m. between the areas of Houston Street and East 30th Street, according to court documents.
In most of the attacks, Zajonc came up behind the women and hit them in the face with either a closed fist or his elbow and then ran away. During the last attack, Zajonc pushed the victim to the ground.
Six women suffered injuries from the attacks including bleeding lacerations and facial bruising. One of the victims suffered a concussion after being knocked unconscious by Zajonc.
Zajonc was arrested on March 2 after the NYPD released surveillance images of him. He was recognized by New York Public Library employees.
“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,” said DA Alvin Bragg. “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."
Zajonc was charged with six felony counts of assault in the third degree as a hate crime and seven counts of aggravated harassment in the second degree, a misdemeanor hate crime.
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