Convicted murderer arrested as suspect in brutal NYC Anti-Asian attack

New York, New York - A convicted felon was arrested as the main suspect in Monday's attack against a Filipino American woman near Times Square.

Brandon Elliot (38) was identified with the help of footage from a security camera.
Brandon Elliot (38) was identified with the help of footage from a security camera.  © Screenshot/Twitter/NYPD Hate Crimes

Brandon Elliot (38) was brought in by New York City police on Wednesday as the main suspect in Monday's brutal attack on Vilma Kari.

A video recorded by surveillance cameras shows Elliot kicking 67-year-old Vilma Kari to the ground, then repeatedly stomping on her head.

The suspect was convicted of stabbing his mother to death in 2002 when he was 19, and was released from prison with a lifetime of parole in 2019.

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Elliot is currently being charged with assault as a hate crime, attempted assault as a hate crime, assault, and attempted assault, according to The Associated Press.

The victim's daughter said Kari is an immigrant from the Philippines. The foreign secretary for the Philippines stated in a tweet that the assault "is gravely noted and will influence Philippine foreign policy."

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In addition to damning evidence against Elliot, the video showed two security guards from a nearby condominium building watching the assault take place, but failing to step in. In the video of the attack, one of them is seen closing the door even as Kari lies on the ground in obvious distress.

The victim was reportedly on her way to church the morning of the attack, when a man, presumed to be Elliot, approached her, kicked her in the stomach, and stomped on her head while reportedly shouting Anti-Asian slurs at her.

This is one of many Anti-Asian attacks that have been cropping up across the US with increasing regularity since the beginning of the pandemic. The racially-fueled encounter comes just weeks after a man shot up three separate massage parlors in Atlanta, Georgia, killing eight people, including six Asian-American women.

After receiving extensive treatment for her injuries, Kari was released from the hospital on Tuesday.

It is unclear whether Elliot has sought legal council for his case.

Cover photo: Screenshot/Twitter/NYPD Hate Crimes

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