MIDTOWN SOUTH — An attacker called a man a "cracker" and sliced his nose with an umbrella after making a comment about the man’s interracial relationship, authorities said.
The 42-year-old victim was walking with his girlfriend into Penn Station near 234 W. 33rd St. around 2:55 a.m. on Sunday when Tony Brimfield, also 42, approached him and asked him why he was with a “girl of color,” police and a complaint filed with the Manhattan District Attorney’s office said.
The question sparked an argument, during which Brimfield called the man a “cracker” and said, “F-- you, whitey,” police and the DA’s office said.
At some point during the spat, Brimfield swung an umbrella at the man, slicing his nose, the complaint said.
An Amtrak police officer also recovered a switchblade on Brimfield during his arrest, the DA’s office said.
Brimfield was charged with hate-crime assault, assault and criminal possession of a weapon, the complaint said.
He is currently being held at the Manhattan Detention Complex on $5,000 bail and is expected to next appear in court on Nov. 25, city Department of Correction records show.
An attorney for Brimfield did not immediately respond to a request for comment Tuesday.
