San Francisco District Attorney Chesa Boudin considered the attack on a 36-year-old Asian father who was walking with his son on a stroller last month as a hate crime, he said in a Twitter post.
Hate Crime
On Saturday, Boudin said he “received new evidence” that suggested the crime on April 30 was motivated by the victim’s race. Police were able to arrest 26-year-old Sidney Hammond who is believed to be responsible for the incident.
However, Boudin did not clarify the exact reason why Hammond is being charged with a hate crime. Police said the suspect pushed the Asian man to the ground before pummeling him with punches. The victim later said he was afraid for his son’s life during the encounter as the stroller began to roll away while he was on the ground.
Boudin’s announcement was made one day before his office announced the charges made to a suspect responsible for stabbing two elderly Asian women at Fourth and Market streets. The suspect was charged with attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, and elder abuse.
The suspect, 54-year-old Patrick Thompson, faces up to life in prison if convicted of the crime. In a media release, Boudin’s office said Thompson was an ex-mental health patient at Napa State Hospital, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.
