Duo charged with hate crimes for attacking Asian Queens

Police said on Monday that two people who police believe punched and kicked a man and woman while shouting anti-Asian slurs have been charged with a hate crime.

Elijah Fernandez and Natalie Plaza spotted the victims – a 44-year-old woman and a 24-year-old man – as they walked down the sidewalk on Junction Boulevard. Near Roosevelt Avenue in Corona around 2:30 p.m. Thursday, police said.

Plaza, 18, allegedly screamed, “Ugly Asian!” from a white Acura SUV and doused the woman with water before she, Fernandez and another man got out of the car and attacked, police said.

The enraged crew punched and kicked both victims in the head before climbing back into the SUV and driving away.

The victims were hospitalized and treated with head injuries.

Fernandez, 21, and Plaza were charged with hate-motivated assault and assault. Their charges in Queens Criminal Court were expected on Monday evening.

Police have yet to find a third suspect.