Sikh family in B.C. shocked after relative attacked in NYC in apparent hate crime

WARNING: This story contains a graphic image of violence.

The New York Police Department (NYPD)is investigating after an elderly Sikh man with family in B.C.was attacked in an apparent hate crime while visiting the city over the weekend.

Police said Nirmal Singh, 70, had beenwalking down 95 Avenue nearLeffertsBoulevard in the South Richmond Hill area of Queensaround 6:45 a.m. on Sunday.

"As he was walkingalone along the street, he was assaultedpunchedby an unknown adult male in his 30s,"NYPD Lt. Thomas Antonettitold CBC News, adding the attack was unprovoked.

Singh hadjust arrived in New York City for the first timetwo weeks earlier. The area where he was attacked is roughly a block away fromthe Sikh Cultural Society, where Singh hadbeen staying.

Singh's son, Manjit Singh Kalley, said it was his father's dream to visit New York City.

"Dad is feeling really bad," said Kalley, who lives in Abbotsford. "It was the first time he went there and this happened."

"Whatever happened needs justice.Why did it happen? Every time,why do people attack my community? This shouldn't happen to just my community but any community. No one should go through this."

The punch broke Singh's nose. Hewas treated at the Jamaica Hospital Medical Center and has since been released, Antonetti said.

The officer said the suspect escaped before police arrived.

Kalley said his fatherlives in India but recently got a visa to travel to the United Statesand Canada. He planned to go to the U.S. first for a few weeks, despite his family discouraging him from going to NYCalone.

Kalley said he hopes to fly to New Yorkto be with his father this week.

Antonetti said the NYPD's Hate Crime Task Force is investigating. Police hadn't identified any suspects or made any arrests as of Monday.