A New York man was charged with attempted murder after police say he violently punched a woman of Asian descent more than 125 times and allegedly used a racial slur against her, NPR reports. A 67-year-old woman of Asian descent was returning to her apartment last Friday when she saw the suspect — 42-year-old Tammel Esco — in front of her building. As the victim walked past Esco, he called her an "Asian b****," police said. In a surveillance video released by the Yonkers Police Department, the victim ignores Esco as she enters the vestibule of her apartment building.
As she attempted to open a second door to enter the lobby, Esco allegedly approached her from behind and began punching her in the head, knocking her to the floor. Esco is shown punching the woman in the face and head more than 125 times before he stomps her with his foot seven times. Police say he then spat on her. The woman suffered multiple injuries and lacerations to her head and face. Esco is charged with one count of attempted murder and one count of assault as a hate crime. "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," said Yonkers Police Commissioner John Mueller. "Violent behavior will not be tolerated in our communities," he added. There's been an alarming spike in violence against women of Asian descent in the U.S.