Family fears assault was racially motivated

Albany police believe attack on Ualbany student was a robbery

Authorities are investigating an assault at a Walmart on Washington Avenue Extension Friday night that left a University at Albany student with a concussion and facial injuries after three people stole his cellphone. While the police are treating the assault as a robbery, a surrogate for the family said he believes the attack was racially motivated.

“It just seems odd that only the Asian American was targeted,” said Russell Stephen, a family friend speaking on behalf of the family.

The unidentified 18-year-old victim was with two classmates, both of whom are white, buying dorm supplies when he was punched several times by an assailant who stole his cellphone.

A 17-year-old later was stopped on Lexington Avenue around 10:30 p.m. Friday in possession of the phone and was arrested and charged with fifthdegree criminal possession of stolen property, police said.

Police are searching for the two additional suspects.

Stephen said he believes the student may have been targeted because of his race. While Stephen

said he believes the robbery was a bias crime, he acknowledged his assertion was primarily based on the attackers singling out the Asian American student and not his white classmates. He added the victims' family is unsure if the student was attacked because of his race.

"There's been a rash of assaults because of the pandemic,” said Stephen, who has known the family since the victim was in first grade and has served as a tutor. “He’s like a little brother to me,” Stephen said.

The assault comes amid an increase in violence against those of Asian descent during the coronavirus pandemic.

The family declined comment through Stephen, who said he’s researching their legal options.

Albany police are treating the incident as a robbery investigation. "We have nothing to indicate that it was motivated by the victim’s race,” said Officer Steve Smith, an Albany Police Department spokesman.