A homeless New York City man was arrested and charged Wednesday with going on a two-hour hate-crime spree Sunday that involved attacking seven Asian women.

Stephen Zajonc, 28, was taken into custody after locking himself in a bathroom at the New York Public Library. He faces seven counts of assault and attempted assault classified as hate crimes. Zajonc also faces seven counts of aggravated harassment and harassment.

According to the New York Police Department, the victims are between the ages of 19 and 57.

NBC News reported that some of the victims were hit in the face, while another was thrust to the ground. Two were treated at hospitals.

The New York City police reinforce its presence in Asian-American communities after 8 people, including 6 Asian women, were killed in Atlanta, Georgia.
The New York City police reinforce its presence in Asian-American communities after 8 people, including 6 Asian women, were killed in Atlanta, Georgia. AFPTV / Bastien INZAURRALDE

There has been a sharp uptick in hate crimes against people of Asian descent.

In January, 40-year-old Michelle Alyssa Go was pushed in front of an oncoming New York subway train. In February, a 25-year-old man followed a woman to her New York apartment and repeatedly stabbed her with a knife.

Over 10,000 acts of hate against Asian Americans were reported to nonprofit organization Stop AAPI Hate between March 2020, and September 2021.

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