In Oakland, another elderly Asian American dies after being attacked

Pak Ho died after being attacked and robbed.

A few hours before President Biden condemned the growing trend of violence against Asian Americans last Thursday, 75-year old Pak Ho died, a victim of hate.

The suspect, Teaunte Bailey, 26, now faces a murder charge.

“I’m at a loss for words,” said Oakland Police Chief LeRonne L. Armstrong in a statement. “Our elders should be protected not the victim of a deadly assault. I am thankful that our officers were able to quickly respond and arrest Mr. Bailey. The Oakland Police Department will relentlessly pursue those that violate the most vulnerable members in our community.”

A statement from the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office confirmed that Ho died Thursday  shortly before 1 p.m. PST. Biden gave his prime-time speech four hours later.

The altercation between Ho and Bailey happened just before 7 a.m. Tuesday morning when Bailey approached Ho, who was on his daily walk. There apparently was a dispute that led to Ho being robbed and injured.

Ho was taken to a hospital where  he was diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury and brain damage after being knocked to the sidewalk from a single punch in the face.

Surveillance video caught Bailey leaving the scene in his car, which allowed police to trace his whereabouts. When he was approached, Bailey led them in a car chase.

A GPS ankle bracelet that Bailey was required to wear for a previous conviction, showed that he was at the location where Ho was beaten and robbed.

“Through our investigation, OPD has learned that the suspect has a history of victimizing elderly Asian people,” the chief stated.

It has not been categorized as a hate crime but it is still under investigation, according to authorities.

The case is being handled by the DA’s Special Response Team, which was created last month to address the surge of attacks against Asian Americans.

“Our police will investigate thoroughly to determine whether this was racially motivated or a crime of opportunity,” Oakland's Mayor Libby Schaaf said in a statement Thursday.

Meanwhile, Ho's three daughters hope that people will remember their father as a person, not just another statistic.

“It is always good to have a picture so people can relate to who they’re talking about,” Chan said. “It’s not just a name, but actually a physical person. Flesh and blood, so people understand that they’re actually human beings being hurt.”