May 28, 2021
This incident happened on May 23, 2021. The victim’s granddaughter posted details about the incident on her Instagram page as well as pictures. These are her words.
“On May 23, 2021 at 10:18 p.m., I got a call from my grandma. She started speaking to me and I noticed that her voice sounded like she cried and was so weak, so I asked [‘Grandma, what happened to your voice?’] She told me that she got beaten up and robbed and was at the emergency room. I started bursting out in tears and was afraid that she’d die. My grandma is one of the most important people in my life. She took care of me all throughout my childhood and even now as I’m in college, making me soups and my favorite foods for me whenever I’m home from school.
She was just a few feet away from her apartment, after turning around the corner of Washington and Northampton St in Boston when the assaulter walked towards her and brutally punched and beat her up while trying to steal her purse in broad daylight on a busy street. Though she got kicked to the ground, my grandma was resilient and clung on to the assaulter’s leg while clutching her purse.
After screaming for help, some bystanders came and chased off the assaulter, who then fled the scene, leaving my badly beaten grandma lying on the floor. Thankfully, someone called 911 and the police and EMTs quickly came and transported her to the ER. Around 3 hours later was when I got the call and my brother and I sped to BMC. Thank god the scans came back and showed no broken bones. But she’s now left with a swelled up and bruised left face and a slinged arm that’s in extreme pain.
Although we don’t have solid evidence, we can’t help but think it is an Asian hate crime because of the recent treatments towards the Asian community. While a police report was filed, I’m not sure if justice will be served for my grandma since not much is known about the assaulter. Nonetheless, I hope this post spreads more awareness and lets everyone become more aware of their surroundings. Finally, I hope that this never happens to you or your loved ones. Thank you for reading.”
Images via Instagram