Teens arrested in connection with anti-white bias attack in Queens
NEW YORK - Two teenagers were arrested in connection with an anti-white bias attack on a bus in Queens earlier this month.
The NYPD says a 16-year-old girl faces charges of second and third-degree assault as a hate crime, second and third-degree assault, third-degree menacing as a hate crime, second-degree aggravated harassment and menacing.
A 15-year-old girl faces Assault hate crime charges.
According to the NYPD, the victim, a 57-year-old woman, was riding a southbound Q52 bus near Jamaica Avenue and Woodhaven Boulevard in the Woodhaven section on July 9 when she was approached by three females.
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According to authorities, the victim, a 57-year-old woman, was sitting near the rear of a Q53 bus when she was approached by the two girls and an unapprehended third suspect.
The unapprehended suspect allegedly look ed the victim and said "I hate white people" and that she "hates white people's skin." As the bus passed a cemetery, police say the unapprehended suspect told the victim, "I am going to kill you, this is where I’m going to bury you."
When the bus stopped, the unapprehended suspect, along with the 15-year-old girl then spat on the victim. The unapprehended suspect then allegedly struck the victim repeatedly in the head with her shopping bag. Authorities say the two arrested girls also punched the victim several times in her head before fleeing the bus.
The victim was taken to a nearby hospital for injuries, which included a deep laceration on the right side of her head which required three staples.
As alleged, this defendant, as well as two other individuals, carried out a vicious assault on a public transit rider simply because of the victim’s race." Queens County District Attorney Melinda Kat said in a statement. "Hate crimes in the most diverse county in the world undermine the very fabric of this great borough and will never be tolerated. The defendant is now charged with assault as a hate crime and will be held to account for her alleged actions."
If convicted, the 16-year-old girl faces 3½ to 15 years in prison.