A 14-year-old boy who’s name has not been released was charged Friday (Sept. 16) with a slew of hate crimes after police say he allegedly lit a girl’s T-shirt on fire last weekend. Surveillance video shows the teen wearing a white shirt and headphones along with a crew of cohorts the moment before the horrific incident.
The attack, which was one of five and occurred within hours of each other, took place last Saturday at about 8pm on W. 42nd St. near Sixth Ave. The victim’s mother chased the group away. The suspect was charged with attempted assault and and aggravated harassment as a hate crime.
Police have released videos and photos of several other teens who are considered “persons of interest.” The NYPD Hate Crimes task force began investigating the attacks after someone lit part of Muslim woman’s blouse on fire last Saturday. Investigators now think the attacks are anti-woman and not hatred against Muslims.