Police booked a paroled, convicted murderer from Midtown early Wednesday morning who allegedly assaulted a woman and shouted anti-Asian epithets at her during a violent attack earlier this week that was caught on camera.
Brandon Elliot, 38, of West 40th Street faces charges of assault as a hate crime, attempted assault as a hate crime, assault and attempted assault for allegedly carrying out the March 29 bias-filled beating on a 65-year-old woman in front of an apartment building entrance on West 43rd Street.
Part of the shocking attack — the latest in an ongoing series of anti-Asian assaults in New York City — was filmed by a security camera inside the apartment building. The video shows a door staff member at the building watching and doing nothing to intervene in the attack, adding to the public outrage over the incident; that worker has since been suspended.
Police sources said that Elliot was previously convicted in the Bronx in 2003 on a second-degree murder charge for stabbing a family member to death in 2002. State inmate records indicated that Elliot was paroled in November 2019 after serving more than 16 years behind bars.
⚠️ ARRESTED
Brandon Elliot, a parolee out on supervised release, has been arrested & charged w/ this brutal assault.
Great work by your @NYPDDetectives, identifying & apprehending the assailant, all within 48 hrs — always seeking justice for victims. https://t.co/NVdIO8WVhD
— Edward A. Caban (@NYPDPC) March 31, 2021
Regarding Monday’s hate crime, cops said that Elliot allegedly confronted the victim outside the West 43rd Street building at about 11:40 a.m. on March 29. He’s accused of repeatedly punching and kicking the woman about her body, knocking her to the ground.
During the assault, police reported, Elliot allegedly shouted a number of anti-Asian statements toward her. He’s also shown on camera allegedly stomping on her head multiple times before finally taking off in an unknown direction.
Officers from the Midtown South Precinct responded to the incident. The victim is now recovering at NYU Langone Hospital from her injuries.
Police sources said Elliot was picked up Tuesday for questioning thanks to a tip to the NYPD’s CrimeStoppers hotline and the assistance of the NYPD Warrant Squad.
Both the Midtown South Precinct and Police Commissioner Dermot Shea congratulated the officers involved in making an arrest in the case.
The individual wanted for assaulting a 65 year old Asian female in front of 360 W 43 Street has been APPREHENDED and charged with Felony Assault as a Hate Crime. Great work by all investigating this incident❗️ @NYPDHateCrimes pic.twitter.com/kKR30TmY3Q
— NYPD Midtown South (@NYPDMTS) March 31, 2021
