Man Struck Elderly Asian Woman 125 Times In Alleged Hate Crime, Attempted Murder

A 42-year-old man is facing attempted murder charges after reportedly striking an Asian woman 125 times unprovoked in an alleged hate crime in Yonkers, New York on Friday, March 11

On Friday, the accused, identified as Tammel Esco, 42, was caught on camera, in a surveillance video released by the police, punching the helpless woman in an unprovoked assault. As the elderly victim initially walked past Esco with a shopping cart, Esco called the victim an “Asian b---h.” However, the victim ignored the insult and walked away, Daily News reported.

Following this, as the woman opened the glass doors to her apartment vestibule, he followed her inside and punched her in the back of the head, knocking her to the ground. After this, instead of stopping the assault, Esco threw jab after jab at the helpless woman for the next 2 and a half minutes. He then continued punching the victim about 125 times, also stomping on her at least seven times before spitting on her and walking away.

Meanwhile, Yonkers Police Commissioner John Mueller commented on the incident and said that the brutal assault was “one of the most appalling attacks I have ever seen.”

“To beat a helpless woman is despicable and targeting her because of her race makes it more so,” Mueller said. “This defendant must be held to the maximum punishment allowed by law to send a clear message that hateful, violent behavior will not be tolerated in our communities.”

Officers rushed to the scene after they were alerted about the violent incident. At the site of the attack, they found the woman suffering from massive facial injuries and also found Esco standing outside the woman’s apartment, the New York Times reported.

The officers then transported the woman to an area hospital for treatment. Meanwhile, Esco was taken into custody and was charged with attempted murder and assault, both as hate crimes.

Esco is currently being held without bail at the Westchester County jail and his next court appearance will be on March 25.

The woman reportedly sustained broken bones in her face, internal bleeding in the brain, and numerous cuts and bruises on her head and face in the attack. According to Yonkers officials, she is now in stable condition and is expected to survive.

Esco reportedly has 14 previous arrests, half of them on felony charges. According to state prison records, he was convicted of assault in 2011, sentenced to just over three years in prison, and released on parole after about two and a half years in October 2013.