Arheel's Uncle
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www.usatoday.com
Man punched Sikh teen in turban on New York City bus in suspected hate crime, authorities say
Vanessa ArredondoUSA TODAY
A 19-year-old Sikh man on a New York City bus was attacked Sunday in a suspected hate crime by an assailant who tried removing his turban and face mask, authorities said.
The incident occurred aboard the MTA shuttle bus 8810 in Queens at about 9 a.m. Sunday, the New York City Police Department told USA TODAY. The suspect approached the teenager and yelled: "We don’t wear that in this country and take that mask off!"
The suspect then punched the teen in the back of the head, face, and back multiple times, according to police. The suspect later fled on foot along Liberty Avenue in an unknown direction and is being sought, officials said.
The victim, who was not identified, suffered a "minor laceration and pain" after the attack, authorities said. The teen refused further medical treatment at the scene, and no other injuries were reported in the attack.
New York police on Monday released surveillance images of the suspect, who is shown wearing a yellow bubble jacket, blue jeans, and sneakers. Authorities described him as a man between 25 to 35 years old, about 5 feet 9 inches tall, with a dark complexion, slim build, and brown eyes and black hair.
Anyone with additional information about the incident is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline.
The Sikh Coalition, a Sikh faith organization based in New York, said on Facebook that it was "deeply disturbed" by the attack and that it was in contact with the victim and offering him their support.
"As we stand alongside our allies from all communities, we will continue to insist that no one should have to fear for their personal safety while simply existing in public," the organization said in a statement. "We thank allies from across all communities who have spoken out and urge vigilance for all given the current climate—especially given the heartbreaking recent news out of Illinois."
[The blacks continue to increase violence on others]