On the morning of December 17, an 81-year-old Asian American was attacked by a man while walking. The San Diego Police Department is investigating a hate crime case.
At about 10 o’clock that morning, an obvious passerby stopped and asked Mark Sonouvong if he was Chinese or Vietnamese. After refusing to answer, the man knocked Sonouvong to the ground and beat him roughly.
According to reports, the attack left Sonouvong with multiple injuries, including a puncture in the left eye and laceration to the forehead.
API Initiative Government and Public Relations Director JoAnn Fields said that this is the third attack on an Asian elderly man in San Diego. The API Initiative’s team is proposing a “rapid response plan” to raise awareness, facilitate data collection, and improve overall city safety.
As of press time, no one has been arrested.
A family friend started GoFundMe to help pay for Sonouvong’s medical expenses.To contribute, please visit gofundme.com/f/elderly-asian-man-beat-in-san-diego-please-help.
