'We have to stop this': Man charged after 2 Asian American women stabbed in San Francisco attack

The family of 85 year old to Fong said she'd been waiting for the bus Tuesday evening after buying groceries in Chinatown. She's independent, she's very headstrong and she she has to do something, she's going to do it. So yeah, that's just her, drew is her grandson. He says he didn't want to show his face feeling like his family has suddenly been thrown into the spotlight. I I was in shock and disbelief that I can't believe this happening to my grandma right? Because You don't think this ever could happen to you until it does and that's why it's so important to stay aware about all these things and be vigilant. Fong was stabbed at fourth and market Tuesday evening along with another 63 year old Asian woman. Both are expected to survive. Fong though, remains in the hospital. I was told that the knife nicked her lung and and her rib cage and that was already through the arm. So it was a very long knife. Police have not yet said if they think it's a hate crime, but Cynthia check with the group stop A. P. I hate says that misses the point. Regardless of whether we can prove that it's racially motivated this. This has to stop. Since the beginning of the pandemic. Their group has received reports of more than 900 anti asian hate incidents in the Bay Area. Nobody should fear being able to go about their daily lives and fear being attacked and targeted the national attention on these attacks is already having broader impacts as the city tries to bring back workers and tourists says James Hatley who owns gong cha boba shop near Union Square. It's not good for business. Our business has been suffering since the pandemic san Francisco Police arrested the suspect, 54 year old Patrick Thompson saying he was known to local law enforcement from prior contacts In a tweet, SAN Francisco Mayor London breed said no one, especially our seniors, should be attacked like this. We need accountability and we need to prevent these attacks from happening in the first place in SAn Francisco matt Boone abc seven News.

A man who allegedly stabbed two elderly women without warning at a San Francisco bus stop was charged with attempted murder in an attack that follows a number of others against Asian Americans nationwide, authorities announced Thursday.Patrick Thompson, 54, of San Francisco also was charged with assault with a deadly weapon and elder abuse for Tuesday's attack, with sentencing enhancements for great bodily injury, great bodily injury on elders and personal use of a deadly weapon, the district attorney's office said in a statement. Thompson, who has a history of mental illness, could face a potential life sentence if convicted. He was scheduled to be arraigned on the charges Friday. A message left for the San Francisco public defender's office seeking comment about the case wasn't immediately returned after hours Thursday.A witness told KGO-TV that the man was carrying a large knife with knuckles on the handle and without warning attacked the women as they waited for a bus on Market Street. "The knife punctured one victim’s lungs, requiring extensive surgery," the district attorney’s office said. "A knife had to be removed from another victim at the hospital."Authorities initially said the women were 65 and 84 years old and didn't immediately identify them. But a family member said the elder victim was 85-year-old Chui Fong Eng. Victoria Eng said her grandmother was stabbed in the right arm and the blade entered her chest. She underwent successful surgery."We were able to visit grandma today! It was so emotional walking in and seeing her," Eng posted Thursday on a GoFundMe page that had raised more than $98,000 to cover medical expenses. "The staff have been providing exceptional care to her and extremely supportive to our family. She wants to thank everyone for their generosity and well wishes!"Some of the fundraiser money raised was offered to the family of the other victim, "but they politely declined," the post said. Both women were expected to survive, authorities said.The attack highlighted the dangerous climate Asian Americans have faced since the coronavirus entered the U.S. after surfacing in China. Racially motivated harassment and assaults have occurred nationwide."These are horrifying, deliberate attacks on Asian residents, often elderly," said San Francisco Supervisor Matt Haney, who represents the area where the latest attack occurred. "We have to stop this. People need to be able to walk down the street safely and wait for a bus without fear."Authorities haven't said whether the women were targeted because of their ethnicity. But the District Attorney's office said prosecutors were working with police to determine whether there was evidence to support hate crime allegations.Police Chief William Scott initially said the attack appeared to be "totally random."On Thursday, the FBI’s San Francisco office launched a publicity campaign to encourage the victims of hate crimes to come forward. The effort comes amid a wave of attacks against Asian Americans — many of them elderly — in San Francisco and across the country.Thompson has a criminal background that includes assault with a deadly weapon likely to cause great bodily injury, according to KGO-TV.He was arrested in 2017 and sent to a state mental hospital after being found incompetent to stand trial, the district attorney's office said.In 2018, Thompson was sent into a state Mental Health Diversion program that provides “intensive, court-monitored treatment and services," the District Attorney's office said.A judge allowed him to be released from the program after nearly two years. He wasn't charged with any new offenses. But he was arrested on warrants for missing court dates, including in April 2020, when he also was found to be in possession of a drug pipe, prosecutors said."What happened is a devastating tragedy, and we will use the full force of our office’s resources to prosecute this case. We also need to work hard to stop the next crime from happening, and that involves prevention and treatment," the District Attorney’s office statement said. "Mr. Thompson needed intensive supervision and services — which he received during Mental Health Diversion and which prevented new criminal behavior.""We also must implement stronger responses to addressing the mental health crisis in our streets in order to keep our community safe," the statement said. "For over 40 years, we have failed to invest resources into treatment, supportive housing, and other necessary services for those who are mentally ill and their families. We are all less safe as a result of that legacy."

SAN FRANCISCO —

Patrick Thompson, 54, of San Francisco also was charged with assault with a deadly weapon and elder abuse for Tuesday's attack, with sentencing enhancements for great bodily injury, great bodily injury on elders and personal use of a deadly weapon, the district attorney's office said in a statement.

Thompson, who has a history of mental illness, could face a potential life sentence if convicted. He was scheduled to be arraigned on the charges Friday. A message left for the San Francisco public defender's office seeking comment about the case wasn't immediately returned after hours Thursday.

A witness told KGO-TV that the man was carrying a large knife with knuckles on the handle and without warning attacked the women as they waited for a bus on Market Street.

"The knife punctured one victim’s lungs, requiring extensive surgery," the district attorney’s office said. "A knife had to be removed from another victim at the hospital."

Authorities initially said the women were 65 and 84 years old and didn't immediately identify them. But a family member said the elder victim was 85-year-old Chui Fong Eng.

Victoria Eng said her grandmother was stabbed in the right arm and the blade entered her chest. She underwent successful surgery.

"We were able to visit grandma today! It was so emotional walking in and seeing her," Eng posted Thursday on a GoFundMe page that had raised more than $98,000 to cover medical expenses. "The staff have been providing exceptional care to her and extremely supportive to our family. She wants to thank everyone for their generosity and well wishes!"

Some of the fundraiser money raised was offered to the family of the other victim, "but they politely declined," the post said.

Both women were expected to survive, authorities said.

The attack highlighted the dangerous climate Asian Americans have faced since the coronavirus entered the U.S. after surfacing in China. Racially motivated harassment and assaults have occurred nationwide.

"These are horrifying, deliberate attacks on Asian residents, often elderly," said San Francisco Supervisor Matt Haney, who represents the area where the latest attack occurred. "We have to stop this. People need to be able to walk down the street safely and wait for a bus without fear."

Authorities haven't said whether the women were targeted because of their ethnicity. But the District Attorney's office said prosecutors were working with police to determine whether there was evidence to support hate crime allegations.

Police Chief William Scott initially said the attack appeared to be "totally random."

On Thursday, the FBI’s San Francisco office launched a publicity campaign to encourage the victims of hate crimes to come forward. The effort comes amid a wave of attacks against Asian Americans — many of them elderly — in San Francisco and across the country.

Thompson has a criminal background that includes assault with a deadly weapon likely to cause great bodily injury, according to KGO-TV.

He was arrested in 2017 and sent to a state mental hospital after being found incompetent to stand trial, the district attorney's office said.

In 2018, Thompson was sent into a state Mental Health Diversion program that provides “intensive, court-monitored treatment and services," the District Attorney's office said.

A judge allowed him to be released from the program after nearly two years. He wasn't charged with any new offenses. But he was arrested on warrants for missing court dates, including in April 2020, when he also was found to be in possession of a drug pipe, prosecutors said.

"What happened is a devastating tragedy, and we will use the full force of our office’s resources to prosecute this case. We also need to work hard to stop the next crime from happening, and that involves prevention and treatment," the District Attorney’s office statement said. "Mr. Thompson needed intensive supervision and services — which he received during Mental Health Diversion and which prevented new criminal behavior."

"We also must implement stronger responses to addressing the mental health crisis in our streets in order to keep our community safe," the statement said. "For over 40 years, we have failed to invest resources into treatment, supportive housing, and other necessary services for those who are mentally ill and their families. We are all less safe as a result of that legacy."

'We have to stop this': Man charged after 2 Asian American women stabbed in San Francisco attack

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