Fundraiser For Victim Of Hell's Kitchen Assault Shoots Past $240K

HELL'S KITCHEN, NY — In a show of unity after a shocking attack, a fundraiser for the Asian American woman who was beaten down on a Hell's Kitchen street last week has shot past its goal, raising more than $240,00 as of Monday.

The GoFundMe was launched by Elizabeth Kari, whose mother, 65-year-old Vilma Kari, was the Filipino woman shoved to the ground, kicked and stomped on as she walked along West 43rd Street in an unprovoked attack last Monday.

The suspect, 38-year-old Brandon Elliot, said "You don't belong here" during the attack, according to police. A resident of a nearby shelter, Eliot had previously been convicted for murdering his own mother.

He was arrested last week and faces a slew of charges, including hate crimes.

"I want to start off by saying my mom is humbled by the outpouring of messages and support from not only our friends and family, but from the kind souls all over the world," Kari wrote on the GoFundMe. "I am happy to share she is safe and in good spirits."

Here is the verified GoFundMe to support Vilma Kari—the Filipino immigrant & mother who was brutally beaten in NYC while the attacker yelled, “You don’t belong here.” https://t.co/4agUaKcI49
— GoFundMe (@gofundme) April 1, 2021

Vilma Kari suffered a fractured pelvis, forehead contusions and more bruising across her body, police said last week. The attack on her came amid a wave of similar attacks on Asian Americans, from assaults in assaults in Midtown and Harlem to the deadly Atlanta spa shootings last month.

While footage of the attack showed nearby building workers failing to intervene, Elizabeth Kari said a bystander across the street, in fact, screamed to distract the assailant.

Hell’s Kitchen is united against anti-Asian bias, discrimination, and hate. #StopAsianHate pic.twitter.com/02AsrHrXPZ
— NYC Human Rights (@NYCCHR) April 2, 2021

"I want to THANK YOU for stepping in and doing the right thing," Kari wrote. "I hope one day, my mom and I can thank you personally."

While the fundraiser could not erase "the pain and trauma my mom has experienced," Kari said it would contribute to her recovery and be used to support organizations devoted to the Asian American/Pacific Islander community.

By Sunday, once the fundraiser had attracted thousands more donations, Kari posted an update, saying her family was "blessed and humbled" by the support.