Horrifying moment knifeman stabs two elderly Asian women in San Francisco

  • Footage shows suspect Patrick Thompson, 54, launching attack on Tuesday
  • Military-style blade was used in the attack on two women aged 65 and 85
  • Large piece of the blade had to be surgically removed from the elder woman
  • Women were both treated on Tuesday night but said to be in a stable condition
  • Thompson was arrested and charged with attempted murder on Wednesday 

Horrifying footage has revealed the moment that a man stabbed two elderly Asian women in broad daylight while they waited for the bus in San Francisco.

Footage obtained by KGO-TV shows suspect Patrick Thompson, 54, launching the brutal attack on the women aged 65 and 85 on Tuesday afternoon on Market Street.

A large piece of the military-style blade had to be surgically removed from the elder of the two ladies, Chui Fong Eng, after it broke off in her chest.

The younger woman, who was not identified, was stabbed through the lungs, the district attorney said.

She is seen stumbling away from Thompson during the attack, while Mrs Eng is seen to collapse onto the street after the blade passed through her arm and into her chest. 

The women were rushed to San Francisco General Hospital but are both expected to survive after undergoing surgery on Tuesday evening.

Thompson was arrested around two hours after the attack and charged with attempted murder on Wednesday. 

The suspect is seen standing in between the two ladies with a mask hanging under his chin before launching the attack in broad daylight at the bus shelter on Market Street, San Francisco, on Tuesday

The suspect is seen standing in between the two ladies with a mask hanging under his chin before launching the attack in broad daylight at the bus shelter on Market Street, San Francisco, on Tuesday

Two Asian American women were stabbed in an unprovoked attack in broad daylight this week in San Francisco. Patrick Thompson, 54, (above) was arrested

Patrick Thompson, 54, was arrested around two hours after the attack and charged with attempted murder on Wednesday

Chui Fong Eng, 85, was left with the blade impaled in her torso which had to be removed during surgery

Chui Fong Eng, 85, was left with the blade impaled in her torso which had to be removed during surgery

Victoria and Andrew Eng, the grandchildren of the 85-year-old victim Mrs Eng, launched a fundraising appeal for her after the attack on GoFundMe. It has already raised more than $100,000.

Victoria wrote: 'These Asian hate crimes need to stop. Our hearts go out to all those who have been injured, killed, or affected by this wave of racist crimes toward the Asian community.

'San Francisco is my home and my Grandma's home. We need to feel safe where we live and not in constant fear. Please keep her and our family in your thoughts and prayers. Any donation would be appreciated! Thank you.'

She posted a later update, writing: 'We were able to visit grandma today! It was so emotional walking in and seeing her. 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!

'We offered a portion of the fundraiser money to the other victim's family, but they politely declined. They would want everyone to respect their family's privacy at this time. With the extra money, we will donate to organizations that support our AAPI (Asian Americans and Pacific Islander) communities.'

Witnesses had earlier described seeing Thompson clutching the knife walking down Market Street, approaching the women and stabbing them, before walking away.

They said that the suspect had used a large knife with knuckles on the handle and holes in the blade. 

Witness Patricia Lee told ABC: 'I'm kind of worried because my back was turned, it could have been me instead'.

She explained one of the women was stabbed from behind.  

'All I could see was the feathers coming out of her jacket, so I'm very sure that she got sliced.'

Lee added the suspect did not flee the scene, 'he walked away like nothing happened, like Sunday morning.'

Police arrested a man who they say is suspected of stabbing two Asian American women without warning on Tuesday afternoon in San Francisco's Mid-Market area

Police arrested a man who they say is suspected of stabbing two Asian American women without warning on Tuesday afternoon in San Francisco's Mid-Market area

Officers were sent to 4th and Stockton streets, where the found the two injured women shortly before 5 p.m.

Officers were sent to 4th and Stockton streets, where the found the two injured women shortly before 5 p.m. 

Police didn't immediately indicate whether the women were specifically targeted or whether the attack might be a hate crime. 

Thompson has a criminal record, including assault with a deadly weapon likely to cause great bodily injury from 2017 and 2019.

He was released on a mental health diversion scheme last fall, but was supposed to be behind bard for at least 25 years as per his previous charges, ABC reported.

Asian Americans have been the target of several unprovoked attacks in the San Francisco Bay Area in recent months.  

Prosecutors have filed assault and hate crime charges against a man accused of an attack last week in which he allegedly yelled racial slurs before knocking down Carl Chan, president of the Oakland Chinatown Chamber of Commerce.

In separate San Francisco attacks in March, an 83-year-old Vietnamese man was knocked down and broke his neck in the fall, and a 77-year-old woman was similarly attacked. Police arrested a man for assault and elder abuse in both cases.

Another 83-year-old man was pushed down in February, broke a hip and spent weeks in the hospital and in rehabilitation. 

Researched published by the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism at California State University showed a surge in Asian hate crimes across the country.   

Witness Patricia Lee told ABC the suspect had 'walked away' from the scene 'like nothing happened'

Witness Patricia Lee told ABC the suspect had 'walked away' from the scene 'like nothing happened'

Police didn't immediately indicate whether the women were specifically targeted or whether the attack might be a hate crime.

Police didn't immediately indicate whether the women were specifically targeted or whether the attack might be a hate crime.

One of the women was bleeding profusely, while the other still had a knife in her arm when they were found by police on Tuesday

One of the women was bleeding profusely, while the other still had a knife in her arm when they were found by police on Tue

The two women  were both in a stable condition in the hospital's ICU after having surgery on Tuesday night

The two women  were both in a stable condition in the hospital's ICU after having surgery on Tuesday night

In April, the US senate passed an anti-Asian hate crimes bill in a vote of 94 to 1. The legislation aims to help law enforcement combat the rising number of hate crimes against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders

In April, the US senate passed an anti-Asian hate crimes bill in a vote of 94 to 1. The legislation aims to help law enforcement combat the rising number of hate crimes against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders

The research compared data from the first quarter of 2021 and the same period in 2020 across 15 major cities, including San Francisco. 

Meanwhile, a recent Pew Research study found around one-third of Asian American fear someone might threaten or physically attack them. 

And, one-fifth believed the rise in hate crimes was directly related to former President Donald Trump and his rhetoric on China.   

Last month, Joe Biden appointed Erika Moritsugu as the administration's Asian American and Pacific Islander senior liaison amid the spike in hate crimes.

Also in April, the US Senate passed an anti-Asian hate crimes bill in a vote of 94 to 1. The legislation aims to help law enforcement combat the rising number of hate crimes against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. 

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