Manhattan District Attorney announces hate crime charges against man who attacked seven Asian women within three hours

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg just announced the indictment of Steven Zajonc, 28, for assaulting seven Asian women within the span of three hours in Manhattan, between Houston and East 30th Streets, on February 27, 2022. Zajonc has been charged in a New York State Supreme Court indictment with six felony counts of assault in the third degree as a hate crime and seven counts of aggravated harassment in the second degree, a misdemeanor hate crime.

One of the seven victims was knocked unconscious by the defendant and treated in a hospital for a concussion. The other victims suffered physical injuries, including bleeding lacerations and bruising to their faces.

“These attacks on seven New York women, each fueled by anti-Asian hate, are yet another sobering reminder of the demonstrable fears AAPI communities, particularly AAPI women, in our City continue to face,” said DA Bragg in a statement. “As alleged, within just three hours, Steven Zajonc selectively ambushed seven Asian women in separate assaults, some of which he struck from behind – for no other reason than their perceived race. This indictment is a result of our collaboration with the NYPD’s Hate Crimes Task Force, and critically, assistance from the brave witnesses and victims who came forward to stand up against hate. My Office is a safe place to report crimes regardless of your immigration status. If you have been a victim or witness to a hate crime or bias incident, please call our Hate Crimes Hotline at 212-335-3100.”