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Tacoma-Pierce County Public Health director attacked
Dr. Anthony Chen said Friday he was physically assaulted by a stranger in Tacoma earlier this week, but does not believe the person who attacked him had any racially bias motives.
TACOMA, Wash. - Dr. Anthony Chen, director of Tacoma-Pierce County Public Health, was attacked by a stranger while walking across Chihuly Bridge of Glass this week, he said in a blog post.
"First, let me say up front, I am fine. I drove myself to the emergency room and got specialty treatment in the afternoon. I am banged up and sore but do not have serious injuries," he said. "I am fortunate I was able to walk away from this attack and I am overwhelmed with the many heartfelt well-wishes from family, friends, and colleagues."
Chen spoke about the incident in a public health media briefing on Friday.
Chen said he noticed a man damaging public property, so he tried to talk to him and ask him to stop. When the man became angry, Chen said he "disengaged" and walked away. That's when the man knocked him down from behind and repeatedly punched him as he tried to back away.
"He didn’t agree with me and I walked away. Before I knew it, I was face down in the ground. He shoved me. And when I got up he attacked me and continued to do so," he said.
Chen, who is Asian, said he doesn't believe he was targeted because of his ethnicity, but he said it does highlight a troubling surge in violence, particularly during the pandemic.
He said he hopes this incident will shine a light on all of the violence that occurs in the community daily, but never gets the attention his story is getting.
Chen went to the emergency room the night of the attack, but said Friday that he's doing well. He said this incident will not change his feelings for his city.
"This [Chihuly Bridge of Glass] is a very important piece of Tacoma. It's something which I will keep walking on, and it’s not going to bother me," he said.
Tacoma Police say they are investigating this incident as an aggravated assault.
Read Chen's story in full here.
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