NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) – A man was beaten Sunday morning in Queens for wearing a turban and a mask on a bus, police said Monday as they released images of the suspect in a hate crime investigation.
The 19-year-old victim was riding an MTA shuttle bus at 118th Street and Liberty Avenue in South Ozone Park around 9 a.m. when another man singled him out over his turban and mask, according to police.
"We don't wear that in this country," the man said. "And take that mask off!"
The attacker then punched the victim in the head, face and back repeatedly before attempting to snatch the turban from his head, police said.
The victim suffered a laceration to his head, as well as pain. He declined further medical treatment at the scene.
The suspect fled the bus on foot and was last seen on Liberty Avenue.
The NYPD said its Hate Crimes Unit is investigating the assault. The turban is most often associated with the Sikh religion, though the victim's religion wasn't immediately confirmed by the NYPD.
Police in U.S. cities and federal authorities have been on high alert for violence driven by antisemitic or Islamophobic sentiments as the war between Israel and Hamas enters a second week. FBI officials, along with Jewish and Muslim groups, have reported an increase of hateful and threatening rhetoric.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.