Brandon Elliot, the man who is suspected of assaulting an Asian-American woman in New York City on Monday, was on parole at the time of his arrest for a murder he committed in 2002.
Elliot was charged with two counts of assault as a hate crime, and one count each of attempted assault as a hate crime, assault and attempted assault. He was allegedly seen in a viral video kicking a 65-year-old Asian-American woman in the stomach and then repeatedly kicking her once she fell to the ground.
The New York City Police Department arrested Elliot early Wednesday, within 48 hours of the attack.
He was convicted of fatally stabbing his mother in 2002, police told NBC News, and was released from prison in November 2019. He’s on lifetime parole, according to NBC News.
Elliot was also arrested in 2000 for robbery, the New York Police Department told Newsweek.
New York Police Department
Police attributed his quick apprehension to the multiple tips the NYPD Crime Stoppers Unit received and the work of New York’s detectives. Elliot was arrested at his home.
The assault that led to Elliot’s arrest occurred on Monday in broad daylight. Surveillance video from the attack showed a man kicking a woman forcefully in the stomach as she was walking down the sidewalk. The man kicks her at least three times after she falls to the ground and then walks off. He allegedly also made anti-Asian statements.
At least three people witnessed the assault, and people were quick to point out that the bystanders did nothing to help the victim. A man inside the building lobby appeared to be watching the assault. Later in the video, two men walk into the frame and one closes the building door while the woman is on the ground.
The Brodsky Organization, which owns the building outside where the attack took place, posted on Instagram that the staff members involved were suspended pending an investigation in conjunction with their union. The company was also working to identify a third-party delivery vendor who was present during the attack so the “appropriate action” can be taken.
“We are extremely distraught by the horrific attack that occurred outside our building, and our hearts go out to the victim,” the Brodsky Organization said in its post. “We have been working closely with the NYPD, elected officials and civic leaders to provide any information and to seek justice.”
If convicted, Elliot could face years in prison.
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