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Prosecutors in San Francisco have determined that a recent violent, well-publicized attack on victims who were Asian Americans was motivated by race.
On March 28, Anell Medrano, 35, was taken into custody on charges of assault after it was reported that she threw rocks and a bucket at people close to Vallejo Street and Van Ness Avenue. The District Attorney’s Office claimed that Medrano used anti-Chinese remarks during the incident and filed a hate crime enhancement.
The victims’ identity and ties to the nonprofit sector caused the incident to garner attention in Chinese-language media. Three young Chinese men, all employees of the NGO Self-Help for the Elderly, were performing community outreach work at the time of the attack, according to Skylink, a Chinese-language TV station that released video of the incident.
One of the three victims, Kifer Hu, is a director of Self-Help for the Elderly. She told Skylink that during the incident, the suspect also said “hate Chinese.”
Hu said to The Standard over the phone that while following three of them down Vallejo Street, Medrano launched into a racial tirade, calling them “soft,” “useless,” and “Go back to your country.”
Hu further supplied the footage of Medrano stating, “You want to see me grasp your ass?” prior to savagely yanking a rucksack off the back of one of the victims. He screamed, “I will fuck you up,” as well.
District Attorney Brooke Jenkins issued a statement saying, “Anti-Asian hate crimes are reprehensible, and these unjustified attacks have absolutely no place on our streets in San Francisco.” “When we have the facts to prove a case beyond a reasonable doubt, my office remains committed to prosecuting hate crimes against all races, religions, and groups.”
One injured victim, Marcus, 26, who would only like to go by his first name, revealed to The Standard that the attack had damaged his face. He claimed that Medrano hurled a white plastic bucket, striking him in the head and arm, causing his work documents to drop to the ground. He is no longer affected by the attack.
Medrano is still being held under $50,000 bail. Citing a risk to public safety, the District Attorney’s Office says they will request pretrial custody in this case.
The Public Defender’s Office verified that Medrano will be represented by a staff lawyer. The following court date is set for April 15.
