Skip to main content
Criminal Justice

San Francisco DA Brings Hate-Crime Charges in Dolores Park ‘Go Back to China’ Attack

Written by Han LiPublished Feb. 02, 2023 • 3:00pm
SF District Attorney Brooke Jenkins announces hate-crime charges in an alleged racist attack in Dolores Park involving three Asian American victims on Feb. 2, 2023. | Han Li/The Standard

A suspect wanted for an alleged racist attack involving three Asian American victims has been arrested.

According to the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office, Armando Sanchez Vazuquez, 30, now faces multiple felony charges and hate-crime enhancements as he yelled “Go back to China'' and other racial slurs while throwing a brick and a metal grate at the victims, including a 73-year-old.

The Standard has learned that the victims were not Chinese, but Korean, and they were not physically injured. The incident occurred on Monday in Dolores Park. 

Amid a rise in anti-Asian incidents, the sentiment that Asians are explicitly targeted has become widespread, yet prosecutors have struggled to file hate-crime charges against alleged attackers. The criminal justice system has a high legal standard in proving the suspects’ criminal motives are based on the victims’ racial identity.

However, in this case, District Attorney Brooke Jenkins said the suspect’s verbal evidence is enough for prosecutors to pursue hate-crime charges.

“Those statements were made at the time of the assault, and it appears to be the motivation for that attack,” Jenkins said on Thursday at a press event with Chinese-language media reporters.

According to the SF Sheriff’s Office, Sanchez Vazuquez was booked on Monday afternoon and is currently in custody. Bail has been set for $51,500. He’s also charged in separate cases with vandalism behaviors.

The Standard has reached out to the San Francisco Police Department for comment.

Han Li can be reached at [email protected]


Warden Gets 6 Years in Prison for Sexually Abusing Female Inmates

Warden Gets 6 Years in Prison for Sexually Abusing Female Inmates


‘Nothing To Hide’: BART Wants To Show How It Changed After Oscar Grant’s Killing

‘Nothing To Hide’: BART Wants To Show How It Changed After Oscar Grant’s Killing


Accused SF Synagogue Shooter Will Still Face Hate Crime Charges, Despite Previous Dismissal

Accused SF Synagogue Shooter Will Still Face Hate Crime Charges, Despite Previous Dismissal


Teen Brawls, Stabbings Force SF Leaders To Craft Citywide Response

Teen Brawls, Stabbings Force SF Leaders To Craft Citywide Response


She Tried To Take Her Life After 2 Days in Jail. Now She’s Fighting for Other Trans Inmates

She Tried To Take Her Life After 2 Days in Jail. Now She’s Fighting for Other Trans Inmates



Stay on top of what’s happening in your city

SF’s most important stories, delivered straight to your inbox



By clicking Subscribe you confirm you have read and agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge our Privacy Policy