Family of 84-Year-Old Killed in SF Believe Attack Was Racially Motivated

The family members of an 84-year-old man killed in a seemingly unprovoked attack last week in San Francisco said Monday that they believe the victim was targeted because he was an Asian senior citizen.

They spoke to KTVU as District Attorney Chesa Boudin released a statement vowing to “hold the person who committed this senseless violence accountable.”

Video of the shocking killing of Vicha Ratanapakdee in the city’s Anza Vista neighborhood was captured on a neighbor’s security camera and shared with KTVU.

An assailant, later identified by police as 19-year-old Antoine Watson, came barreling across the street around 8:30 a.m. Thursday in the quiet residential neighborhood, slamming into the fragile victim and sending him sprawling to the ground.

Ratanapakdee was pronounced dead at San Francisco General Hospital two days later.

The startling broad daylight attack went viral on social media, striking a chord with members of the Asian American community in the Bay Area and beyond.

HORRIFYING: 84-year old man was assaulted at Anzavista & Fortuna Thurs & passed away yesterday. Nearby homeowner says she is scared to death.

Antoine Watson arrested assault w/deadly weapon & elder abuse. Maylasia Goo also arrested.

Call SFPD 575-4444 if you have more info. pic.twitter.com/4qKrMcAoaw

— Dion Lim (@DionLimTV) February 1, 2021

“If you see the video there’s nothing non-intentional about it,” Ratanapakdee’s step-son, Eric Lawson, said in an interview with KTVU. “For him to come from all the way across the street what else could have motivated him?”

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Officers arrested Watson along with 20-year-old Maylasia Goo a home in Daly City on Saturday.

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