The FBI’s Chicago field office is getting involved with the investigation of a violent attack at the Argyle Red Line station that the bureau says may have been an anti-Asian hate crime.
It’s an unusual move for the federal agency, which said it is beginning a hate crime awareness campaign in Chicago “in hopes of encouraging members of vulnerable populations to report crimes.”
Around 1:15 p.m. on August 15, the attacker followed a 30-year-old man into the Argyle station and then struck the victim in the head from behind, causing him to fall, according to Chicago police.
When the victim asked why the man attacked him, the offender said he deserved it and used an ethnic slur against the victim and the victim’s partner, the FBI said Tuesday. The bureau also released the following video snippet of the suspect:
CPD issued a community alert about the attack on September 8, but the bulleting did not mention that there might be a hate crime motive.
The FBI’s media release said the suspect wore a diamond stud earring in his right ear, a silver watchband on his left arm, a metallic bracelet on his right arm, a gold-colored chain around his neck, and a Chicago White Sox baseball cap. He also had a thin goatee, the agency said.
Anyone with information about the man can contact the FBI’s Chicago field office at 312-421-6700.
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