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Who is Daniel Negroni? Bronx man who tried to hit woman he called 'Coronavirus Asian' charged with hate crime

The Bronx resident confronted the 25-year-old woman and tried to punch her after verbally attacking her for her race

MANHATTAN, NEW YORK: A 31-year-old man has been arrested and charged with aggravated hate crime after he targeted a 25-year-old woman on Tuesday, April 13, afternoon in Manhattan. The man tried to punch the woman after he called her "Coronavirus Asian" and he now faces hate-crime charges for carrying out what is believed to be a racially motivated attack. 

So far, there have been 40 cases of New York citizens of Asian descent who have been attacked for their race this year. A report by New York Times states that many people arrested in assaults on Asian residents in NYC have had a history of mental health episodes, arrests and homelessness, complicating the city's search for an effective response. 

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Who is Daniel Negroni?

Negroni is a dog walker is a Bronx resident. He confronted the woman who was walking along First Ave. and E. 57th St. around 1 pm on Tuesday, April 13, according to cops. He first hurled racial abuses at her and later said, "I should punch you," police said. Negroni then took a swing at the victim but she dodged the blow following which he walked away from the scene. 

NYPD's Chief of Detectives James Essig took to Twitter on April 14 to share details about Negroni who was unidentified at the time. Essig asked for help from citizens to help nab Negroni for attacking the woman unprovoked. "Another unprovoked Anti-Asian attack on a 25 year old Asian female simply walking the streets of NYC. Our detectives @nypdhatecrimes needs your help. If you have any information on who did this call or DM @NYPDtips," his tweet read. 

Later he sent out a tweet updating everyone about the arrest crediting NYPD Hate Crimes Task Force for the same on April 15. "ARRESTED and charged with a Hate Crime. Tuesday, April 13th, at approx 1 PM, at 1st Ave and E. 57th St., a female Asian, 25, who was simply walking on the sidewalk, was approached by male-walking a dog-who made anti-Asian statements and attempted to strike her," read the tweet on the Task Force's official Twitter handle. 

The department also updated citizens about the ongoing investigation in the case of a 34-year-old Asian woman who was at the receiving end of anti-Asian hate once again. She was traveling on a Q train when an individual aggressively pointed a finger in her face while making inflammatory statements addled with racial insults. The department has requested the public to help them with information on the man and anyone with a lead could call 800-577-TIPS  

The department has also made another arrest on April 15 and charged the individual with hate crime for drawing a swastika in front of Rego Park Jewish Center in February. The name of the suspect and other information is yet to be made public.