Hate Crimes Unit Investigating Attack Of Asian Man On BK Subway

BED-STUY, BROOKLYN — The NYPD's Hate Crimes Unit is investigating an attack on an Asian man that was caught on video on a Brooklyn subway train.

The Hate Crimes division announced Monday morning that they are aware of a video, posted hours earlier by the account AsianDawn4 on Twitter, showing the brutal attack, which the Twitter user said happened on a J train near the Kosciuszko Street station in Brooklyn.

"We need the public's help," the Hate Crimes Unit wrote, asking anyone with information about the incident to contact their tips line.

The video shows the two men exchange punches before the victim is overpowered and punched repeatedly in the head. The attacker then puts the Asian man in a chokehold, appearing to render him unconscious.

It is unclear when the incident occurred.

The clip, viewed more than 500,000 times since it was posted early Monday, comes as the city and country are grappling with a wave of violent crimes against Asian Americans, including similar assaults in Harlem and Lower Manhattan to the deadly Atlanta spa shootings on March 16 that killed eight people, six of whom were Asian.

Anyone that has information regarding the incident is urged to call 1-800-577-TIPS and provide additional details including the date and time of occurrence, police said.

(Warning: Graphic video).

Patch reporter Nick Garber contributed to this report.