A surveillance camera outside a Yonkers, NY apartment building captured a brutal event on Friday, March 11.
A 67-year-old Asian-American woman, and a resident of the building, was assaulted by 42-year-old Tammel Esco. Per the New York Post, he followed the victim to the building’s front door, where he pushed and stomped her more than 125 times while calling her an “Asian bitch.”
The footage shows Esco punching the woman after she had fallen to the ground and was cowering. He beat her for more than 90 seconds. The unnamed victim is in stable condition at an area hospital. Her injuries include brain bleeding, contusions, multiple lacerations to the head and face, and facial fractures.
This event is part of a rise in attacks against people of Asian descent across the United States since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. In a statement, Police Commissioner John J. Mueller commented, “This is one of the most appalling attacks I have ever seen; to beat a helpless woman is despicable and targeting her because of her race makes it more so.”
Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano also spoke up about the event: “Hate crimes are beyond intolerable in our city. I expect the suspect to be charged to the fullest extent of the law for his heinous actions. I continue to keep the victim and her family in our thoughts and prayers.”
Westchester District Attorney Mimi Rocah stated, “Our hearts are broken for this victim.” She also expressed concern that the community might be fearful after the incident and pledged to continue offering support through training and outreach on hate offenses.
Esco was arrested immediately after the attack and charged with second-degree assault and second-degree attempted murder. On Monday, March 14, both felony charges were elevated to hate crimes. USA Today reports that Tammel Esco has a criminal record of previous felony convictions.
He spent more than two years in prison from 2011–2013 for second-degree assault, pleading guilty to stabbing his daughter’s mother in 2010. Prior to this, he was sentenced to serve one year after pleading guilty to the possession of a controlled substance which stemmed from an arrest in 2009.
Esco was arraigned in Yonkers City Court on Saturday, March 12, and will be back in court on March 25. He is being detained without bail at the Westchester County Jail and represented by the Legal Aid Society of Westchester County.
