(NEW YORK) Police are searching for a man responsible for the brutal attack of an Asian American man in Manhattan on Tuesday morning.
According to ABC 7 NY, the incident took place on West 43rd Street and 11th Avenue, when the suspect approached the 48-year-old victim who was walking down the street and began punching him.
The suspect reportedly yelled, "Go back to China" and bit the victim on his left hand, severing the tip of his middle finger, before fleeing the scene.
The man was taken to Roosevelt Hospital and is in stable condition.
"I feel like it's more because of the homeless, there's a bigger issue at stake because of all the people on the street, especially because of COVID and mental illness has a lot to do with it," said resident Susan Pierre, per ABC 7.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Tuesday tweeted that he was "disgusted" by the attack. "I am directing the New York State Police Hate Crimes Task Force to offer their assistance in the investigation. NY stands with the Asian community against hate — it must stop," said Cuomo.
Police say the suspect was last seen without a shirt, wearing white and black sneakers and carrying a sweatshirt.