Arrest Made In Midtown Anti-Asian Hate Crime, Police Say

MIDTOWN MANHATTAN, NY — Police arrested a Bronx man and charged him with a hate crime after he allegedly harassed an Asian woman and tried to punch her in Midtown, authorities said.

Daniel Negroni, 31, was identified by police as the man who approached a 25-year-old woman Tuesday afternoon on First Avenue near East 57th Street.

According to police, Negroni mumbled something to the effect of "coronavirus Asian," then added, "I should punch you," before swinging at her with a closed fist.

He fled north on First Avenue, according to police, who asked for help identifying him earlier this week. In surveillance images, the suspect appeared to have long, braided hair and was walking a dog.

Negroni is accused of aggravated harassment as a hate crime.

Other recent attacks on Asian Americans have included the brutal assault of a 65-year-old woman in Hell's Kitchen, which was captured on video last month and sparked widespread outrage.

Community leaders have attributed the rise in attacks in part to the rhetoric used by former President Donald Trump, who used racist language to tie COVID-19 to China.