Arrest of suspect in violent assault of Pinay in New York lauded

MANILA – The Philippine Consulate General in New York has welcomed the arrest of the suspect in the violent assault of a 65-year-old Filipina in midtown Manhattan early this week.

“We thank the New York Police Department (NYPD) and all those who, in one way or another, contributed to the efforts that led to the arrest of Brandon Elliot,” it said in a statement posted on its page on Thursday.

The 38-year-old Elliot was charged with assault and hate crime offenses after attacking a senior Filipina, identified by the local media as Vilma Kari, who was reportedly on her way to the church.

In a viral video from a closed-circuit television, the man was seen kicking and stomping on the 65-year-old Filipina while bystanders were frozen on the sidelines.

If convicted, Elliot will be jailed for 25 years in addition to other consequences related to his lifetime parole. A CNN report said he was out on parole since 2019 after years in prison for stabbing his mother to death in 2002.

Amid this alarming rise in anti-Asian attacks in the United States, the Consulate General advised all members of the Filipino community in New York and surrounding areas to “remain vigilant” and to report any incidents by calling 911 or the Asian Hate Task Force of the NYPD at 1-800-440-HATE.