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GoFundMe page created to help 67-year-old Filipina in anti-Asian hate attack in New York
A GoFundMe page was launched to aid the 67-year-old Filipino woman who was attacked in an anti-Asian hate incident in New York two weeks ago.
The elderly Filipina “is currently stable and out of the hospital, but has extensive injuries that require constant outpatient care,” her children said in their letter posted on the GoFundMe page.
The assault happened on March 11, Friday evening, in an apartment building. Yonkers Police Department said that the victim was returning home and saw the suspect, identified as Tammel Esco, in front of the building. The 42-year-old suspect called the victim an “Asian b*tch” but she ignored him and proceeded to the vestibule of the building. When she was trying to open the second door to enter the lobby, the suspect punched her in the head, knocking her to the floor.
After punching her more than 125 times in the head and face, the suspect stomped her seven times and spat on her. This attack resulted in multiple contusions and lacerations to the victim’s head and face, facial bone fractures, and bleeding on the brain.
“Her attacker was our neighbor and lived in her building. She will have to move to ensure her safety as she cannot continue living in her home, apartment building, or neighborhood,” the victim’s children said.
“We want to protect our mother any way we can, so we ask to stay anonymous so that she can focus on her recovery without being bombarded by the media or having more fears for her safety,” they added.
Esco was arrested and charged with second-degree attempted murder as a hate crime and second-degree assault as a hate crime.
The Philippine Consulate General in New York earlier said that it has reached out to the family of the elderly woman and offered them assistance.