NEW YORK (AP/1010 WINS) -- Police said Thursday that they've arrested a suspect two days after an Asian-American woman standing on a Queens street was violently shoved to the ground.
The NYPD said detectives apprehended the suspect on Thursday and credited people on social media for spreading word of the case. "The community came through in response," the department tweeted.
A spotlight was put on the case by actor Olivia Munn who said she is a friend of the woman's daughter.
The NYPD said the 52-year-old woman was outside a bakery on Roosevelt Avenue in Flushing around 2 p.m. Tuesday when the suspect got into a verbal dispute with her and pushed her to the ground.
My friend's mom is a 5'3" 50+ Chinese woman and she was attacked by this guy in Flushing, NY yesterday on Main St and Roosevelt between 2-4pm. She left the hospital with 10 stitches in her head.
— O M (@oliviamunn) February 17, 2021
We're gonna find this guy. Queens, Internet, please... do your shit. 🙏🏼@NYPD109Pct pic.twitter.com/hrB3kchxGH
The victim's son said she needed 10 stitches after being taken to New York-Presbyterian Queens, WABC reported.
WCBS-TV reports that the NYPD is investigating the possibility that the attack was a hate crime. Other reports say the incident isn't being investigated as a hate crime at this point.
EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: 52-year-old Asian woman violently shoved yesterday in Flushing, Queens. Witness says assailant threw box of spoons at her, yelling slurs before he shoved her. She blacked out, needed stitches on her forehead. Tonight at 11p #StopAsianHateCrimes #ProtectOurElders pic.twitter.com/39FGzlKT7I
— CeFaan Kim (@CeFaanKim) February 18, 2021
Family of the victim said the man yelled racial slurs as he attacked her, according to PIX11.
On Twitter, Munn said, "My friend's mom is a 5'3'' 50+ Chinese woman and she was attacked."
Munn has been speaking out about an increase in crimes against Asian Americans during the pandemic.
After the suspect's arrest, Munn tweeted, "I'm beyond grateful to all of you for caring and posting and retweeting and FINDING THIS GUY!!! I love you all so much."
Ohmygod you guys!!! I'm beyond grateful to all of you for caring and posting and retweeting and FINDING THIS GUY!!! I love you all so much.
— O M (@oliviamunn) February 18, 2021
The Asian community felt your outrage and support and YOU GUYS DID THIS!! Thank you thank you thank you thank you 😭😭😭😭 https://t.co/vo3ZiPGmb0





