Asian Man Kicked In Coronavirus-Fueled E Harlem Assault: NYPD

EAST HARLEM, NY — An Asian man walking in East Harlem was attacked and told to go back to his country during an assault fueled by fears over coronavirus, an NYPD spokesperson said.

The 59-year-old man was walking on Madison Avenue near East 105th Street on Tuesday night when an unknown man shouted at him, "f*** you, Chinese coronavirus," police said. The attacker then kicked the man, causing him to fall to the ground, before fleeing the scene.

The victim refused medical attention at the scene of the attack, police said.

Police released photos of the suspect taken near the scene of the attack by street-facing security cameras. The NYPD's hate crimes task force will investigate the assault, police said.

Anyone with information is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 800-577-TIPS (8477).