YONKERS, NYC – Westchester County District Attorney Miriam E. Rocah announced that Yonkers resident Tammel Esco was charged with a hate crime after violently attacking a 67-year-old Asian woman as she entered an apartment building in Yonkers.
Esco, 42, was arrested on March 11, 2022, and was initially charged in Yonkers Criminal Court via felony complaint on March 12, 2022, with Attempted Murder in the Second Degree and Assault in the Second Degree. The Yonkers Police Department continued their investigation and, as a result, on March 14, 2022, Esco was charged via superseding felony complaint in Yonkers Criminal Court with Attempted Murder in the Second Degree as a Hate Crime and Assault in the Second Degree as a Hate Crime, both violent felonies.
As alleged in the felony complaint, on March 11, 2022, at approximately 6:07 p.m., Esco approached the victim from behind and violently punched her in the head, knocking her to the ground. Esco continued to punch the victim more than 100 times, stomped on her upper body approximately seven times, and then spit on her. Moments before the attack, Esco called the victim an “Asian bitch.”
Raw video:
The victim was transferred to the hospital, where she was treated for bleeding on the brain, multiple facial fractures, and bruising and lacerations to the head and face.
Mayor Mike Spano stated, “Hate crimes are beyond intolerable in our city. I applaud our Yonkers Police for swiftly apprehending this violent criminal and removing him from our streets. I expect the suspect to be charged to the fullest extent of the law for his heinous actions. I continue to keep the victim and her family in our thoughts and prayers.”
Commissioner John J. Mueller stated, “This is one of the most appalling attacks I have ever seen; to beat a helpless woman is despicable and targeting her because of her race makes it more so. This defendant must be held to the maximum punishment allowed by law to send a clear message that hateful, violent behavior will not be tolerated in our communities. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victim and her family, that she may make a full recovery.”
“Our hearts are broken for the victim. The District Attorney’s Office will continue to work with the Yonkers Police Department to investigate and secure justice for her and to support her and her family through this difficult time,” DA Rocah said. “We also understand that many in the community may experience fear and trauma as a result of this incident. We will continue our work with our community and government partners throughout the County to provide support for the community, by offering training and outreach on hate and bias offenses in local schools, senior centers and other community organizations.”
Esco is scheduled to appear again in Yonkers Criminal Court on March 25, 2022. The defendant is currently being held without bail.
The case is being prosecuted by the District Attorney’s Office Bias & Hate Crimes Coordinator Catalina Blanco Buitrago. If anyone has been a victim of a hate crime or bias incident, or has further information on this case, please call the District Attorney’s Office at (914) 995-TIPS.
WCDA
