Subway hate crime attack investigated

NEW YORK (FOX5NY) - Police in New York City were looking for a suspect in what they are calling a hate crime attack in the Union Square subway station. The suspect was wearing a "Make America Great Again" hat and attacked a Hispanic man.

The incident took place Friday around 8:15 p.m. The NYPD says a man got into a verbal dispute with another man while on board a northbound 4 train as it approached the station.

During the dispute, the suspect made multiple derogatory statements regarding the 24-year-old victim's ethnicity.

The man followed the victim when he got off of the train and punched him on his head multiple times on the 4 train platform. He then pushed the victim onto the track bed before running to the Brooklyn bond L train platform in the station.

The victim was helped up onto the platform by his friend and another person and was transported by EMS to a hospital. He was treated for a laceration to his head that he sustained when he fell onto the tracks.

The suspect is described as follows: black, heavy build, wearing a red "Make America Great Again" hat, a red shirt with the words "Make America Great Again" in white letters, blue dungaree overalls, a black jacket, and jewelry around his neck.

Anyone with information in regards to this incident is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS.  Police say all calls are strictly confidential.