NYPD investigating 6 suspects connected to subway assault over mask wearing

The New York Police Department is investigating a suspected hate crime that occurred on Dec. 17 involving the assault of a woman on the subway who was reportedly not wearing a mask, ABC 7 reports.

Six suspects, three men and three women, are under investigation for the assault of an Asian woman, 32, on a southbound A train at the West 4th Street station in Manhattan, New York City.

The Asian women was reportedly confronted for not wearing a mask in public, and the confrontation reportedly included anti-Asian comments regarding the coronavirus directed at the victim of the assault.

The situation escalated into a physical assault on the women who suffered bruising to her face after being punched several times, according to ABC 7.  

The case is an ongoing NYPD's Hate Crimes Task Force investigation. Pictures derived from surveillance footage of the scene of four of the six suspects were released by authorities.

A statement given to the Post Millennial from the NYPD gives an account of the escalation of the incident.  

"The individuals made anti-Asian statements relative to the Corona Virus towards the victim. The dispute escalated into a physical encounter, with the individuals punching the victim in the face multiple times before fleeing the train to parts unknown. The victim sustained bruising and substantial pain, but refused medical attention. The NYPD's Hate Crimes Task Force is investigating the incident," the statement read.

The statement also provided a description of each of the suspects involved in the incident:

The individuals are described as follows:

Individual #1: Female, medium complexion with dark colored hair; she was last seen wearing a camouflage jacket with a fur hood, and a gray faux fur head wrap.

Individual #2: Female, dark complexion; she was last seen wearing a black jacket and a blue hat.

Individual #3: Female, dark complexion with long braided hair; she was last seen wearing a black jacket and a turtleneck sweater.

Individual #4: Male, dark complexion; he was last seen wearing a orange hooded sweatshirt and a red mask.

Individuals #5 & #6: Males.