SAN DIEGO (KGTV) - An Asian-American man is recounting how a dog walk on the campus of Mesa College turned into an attack, including an ethnic slur.
Christian Palayo, 27, a graduate student at UCSD, loves walking Ruby, the dog of a family friend who lives near the Mesa College campus.
Last Thursday night, just after 11 p.m., Palayo was wrapping up a walk off Marlesta Drive, near the back entrance of the school, when he heard a car just behind him.
“Suddenly, something hard hit the side of my head … Felt ringing in the left side of my face. A hard object, hard enough for my glasses and earring to come off,” said Palayo.
Moments later, Palayo, who is Filipino, heard an anti-Asian slur.
“I heard someone shout a racial slur. Then the others in the car said, ‘Go! Go! Go!’ and they sped off,” said Palayo.
Before the older model black sedan drove off, Palayo was struck two more times—by frozen eggs.
“I kind of ducked down, and two more hit on my back,” said Palayo. “I was hit Thursday but bruised over the weekend. I can imagine some older person could really be hurt by these things.”
Palayo says he filed a report with school police.
“I feel like in a post-COVID world and seeing crimes against Asians, I worry about someone like my little sister walking around and being targeted for these things,” said Palayo.
Campus police tell ABC 10News this is the first such incident they've heard of.
“I think it’s especially shocking, just because of how many Asian people live here and how much hate you can have toward an Asian person, “ said Palayo.
For Palayo, the walks he looks forward to, will no longer be relaxing.
“I felt comfortable in my skin around here. Now it's like, ‘Should l be watching my back every time I hear a car pull up?’” said Palayo.
The San Diego Community College District issued the following statement:
"Late in the evening of Thursday, July 25 an individual walking in Parking Lot 1 on the San Diego Mesa College campus was struck in the head and back by several objects, which may have included a frozen egg, thrown from a vehicle. Reportedly, someone in the vehicle yelled a racial slur before driving off. The victim, who is not affiliated with the college, later reported the assault to College Police. They did not report any serious injuries. At this time, it is unclear if any individuals involved are affiliated with Mesa College in any capacity.
Mesa College is deeply disturbed by news of this incident. Police continue to investigate, and it is not known at this time if the incident was racially motivated. Mesa College and the San Diego Community College District have zero tolerance policies for acts of violence, harassment, and racism. Immediate action is being taken to ensure the safety of students, faculty, employees, and community visitors to our campus.
The college will be informing students and employees about the incident and encouraging anyone who is the victim of a crime to report it to College Police at 619-388-6405."
