Asian policewoman attacked in San Francisco in possible hate crime
- The officer was wrestled to the ground and punched in the head after responding to a call about a man threatening people in Chinatown
- Video footage shows four men rushing to help, hitting suspect Gerardo Contreras and trying to pull him off the victim
A San Francisco police officer responding to a call about a man making threats to people in Chinatown was attacked by the suspect, who was later arrested on assault and hate crime charges, authorities said.
Surveillance video showed the female officer, who is of Asian descent, approach Gerardo Contreras on Friday and tell him to turn around and put his hands on his head.
The 33-year-old turned around, but while the officer puts on plastic gloves before patting him down, he turned back to face her and shoved her and then wrestled with her on the ground.
The video first made public by the San Francisco Police Officers Association showed four men rushing to help, hitting Contreras and trying to pull him off the officer as he punches her in the head and face. Soon afterward, other officers arrived and arrested Contreras, who is apparently homeless with mental health issues and a record of prior arrests.
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Asian policewoman attacked in San Francisco in possible hate crime
It was not immediately known if Contreras has a lawyer who can speak on his behalf.