A surly bigot harassed an Asian woman on a midtown Manhattan train during a hate-fueled tirade before punching her in the head, police said Thursday.
The 54-year-old victim was on a downtown-bound No. 1 train approaching the 59th Street–Columbus Circle station on Jan. 16 when her attacker randomly approached her around 8 p.m., cops said.
The woman spat anti-Asian statements at the victim, then attacked her, punching her in the face before running out of the station.
The victim was not seriously injured in the attack, but sought treatment at an area hospital. The NYPD is investigating the assault as a hate crime.
Police released a surveillance image of the attacker on Thursday in the hope someone may recognize her. Anyone with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS.