San Francisco Police have now arrested a man in connection with two unprovoked attacks that left two men with serious injuries.
Police said it started on Monday afternoon at about 1:30 p.m., when a 64-year-old man was stabbed in the face and then knocked to the ground by a stranger at 16th St. and Mission St. The victim was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries and a witness told police the suspect had fled into a BART station.
About 30 minutes later, Danny Yu Chang of Vallejo was walking on Market St. near Montgomery St. on his lunch break when he was assaulted.
Yu Chang had head injuries and could not describe the attack to officers, but a witness said the suspect ran up to him and punched him in the head multiple times until he fell to the ground, unconscious. The suspect then fled on a Muni bus.
Police say surveillance footage and witness descriptions indicated the same suspect in both attacks.
Yu Chang told KPIX-5 he still cannot see out of his left eye.
While police did not provide a motive in the attacks or identify the first victim, Yu Chang believes he was attacked because of his race.
"Somebody just pushed me and hit me, and I lose consciousness, and when I wake up I’m all bloodied up. I didn’t even see the person, I didn’t lose anything, all my belongings is with me, they didn’t rob me, so I think it’s a hate crime," he told the station.
It's the latest in a string of violent attacks against older Asian-Americans in the Bay Area.
Officers found a man Tuesday morning who they say matched the descriptions and arrested Jorge Devis-Milton, 32, on charges of assault with a deadly weapon, aggravated assault and battery.
An online fundraiser has been set up for Yu Chang, who says he still cannot see out of his left eye. He and his wife are hoping to raise enough money to move out of the Bay Area, where they no longer feel safe.
"We should respect each other, and try to live harmoniously with each other," he said.
Police say they are still investigating both attacks and anyone with information should call 415-575-4444 or text TIP411.
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