Advocate weighs in after Richmond man says people chased him with bats, yelled racial slurs

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — A local advocate is weighing in on racially-motivated crimes after an Asian-American man told 8News that a group of people chased him with bats and yelled racial slurs in Richmond.

The 23-year-old said the incident happened around midnight Wednesday, Aug. 13, after he left Cobra Cabana, a restaurant in the city. He told 8News that a group of people got out of a white pickup truck, chased him with baseball bats and yelled racial slurs as he walked to his apartment.

The Richmond Police Department confirmed its officers are investigating this case.

Authorities added that, as of the time of reporting, no other reports of racially-motivated crimes have been made this year. However, Jonathan Zur, CEO of the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities, said cases like this are often underreported.

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“There is some hesitation around reporting that we certainly have seen locally,” Zur said. “There sometimes is a fear of reporting that’s connected to not wanting to be further traumatized, not knowing necessarily how local law enforcement or emergency personnel might respond.”

In this case, the victim reported the incident to police right away -- but when victims are hesitant to report crimes, it can affect public safety, according to Zur.

“If we don’t have the data, then we aren’t able to effectively address what’s happening to our neighbors in our community,” he said.

The incident happened along West Marshall Street, just blocks from Virginia Commonwealth University’s campus, where students are moving in for the new school year.

“I feel like it’s unusual and it’s pretty bold to do that,” said VCU student Joslyn Haeselin.

“I really didn’t expect that from Richmond, specifically, because I always heard that Richmond was like a very inclusive and diverse environment,” said VCU student Deven Bailey.

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Zur urged community members to speak out against hate and pointed to support available for people who may feel targeted.

“There are mental health agencies, there are lots of nonprofit organizations, there are community coalitions that stand at the ready to be able to support someone who is targeted so that they don’t feel alone,” Zur said.

Richmond Police is asking anyone with information about the incident to call Crime Stoppers at 804-780-1000.