Richmond man recalls ‘terrifying’ late-night chase near Monroe Park
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RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — A Richmond man said he’s shaken after a late-night walk turned into a terrifying chase involving a group of people shouting racial slurs and chasing him with weapons.
The 23-year-old Asian-American man asked to remain anonymous out of fear for his safety. He told 8News he had just left Cobra Cabana the evening of Wednesday, Aug. 13. He was walking home when a white pickup truck stopped near him.
“I turned around and I see about four or five people with masks on, long sleeves, and I saw sticks, bats of some sort,” he said. “They started running at me and I just started running as fast as I could.”
He said it was around midnight when the truck slowed down beside him. People inside began shouting racial remarks before getting out and chasing him.
“I assume it’s racially motivated from the way they were calling me slurs,” he said.
The man told 8News he ran for several minutes before losing sight of the group and making it home safely.
He has since filed a police report and provided the report number to 8News. He also posted about the incident on Reddit to warn others.
“There’s many people out there who’ve probably also gone through the same scenario, but too afraid to speak up because they knew there’s people out there who would not believe them or accuse them of lying,” he shared.
He said he's now too afraid to leave his home alone and is urging others in the area to be vigilant.
“No matter where you’re at, you always gotta watch your back and make sure you have someone you can rely on to be with you,” he said.
He worries about what could happen if the people who targeted him are still out there.
“I hope they’re brought to justice and I hope they never do this again,” he said. “I don’t see the point in going out of your way to make someone fear for their life every time they step out the house.”
8News has reached out to Richmond Police to learn what progress has been made in the investigation and are waiting to hear back.
