Velazquez Seeks Answers in Richmond Death of Asian New Yorker

Washington, DC –Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez has written the Richmond Police Department regarding the death of Mr. Quan Zheng, a 34-year-old Chinese American who recently relocated from New York City to Chesterfield County, Virginia. Many in New York’s Asian community have suggested that Mr. Zheng may have been attacked due to his ethnicity and some have linked the crime to a popular hip-hop song that encourages the targeting of Chinese homes for burglary.

“The local authorities should investigate whether ethnicity was a factor in this horrific act,” Velázquez noted. “Crimes like these are unconscionable, but attacks on individuals based on their background are particularly reprehensible.”

The text of Velázquez’s letter is below.


Alfred Durham
Chief of Police
Richmond Police Department
900 E. Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23219

Dear Chief Durham:

I am writing to express my concern over the unfortunate death of Mr. Quan Zheng, a 34-year-old Chinese American who recently relocated from New York City to Chesterfield County, Virginia.

Mr. Zheng was the victim of a hit-and-run in Richmond on September 16, 2016. On that evening, he was in the middle of a food order delivery when he was targeted by unknown assailants on the 1400 block of Lenmore Street. During this struggle, a suspect used Mr. Zheng's vehicle as a weapon and struck him, leaving him seriously injured in the process and ultimately taking his life. While the Richmond Police Department (RPD) is currently investigating the crime, there has been no online notice regarding any arrests or promising leads. Understandably, our community is concerned and would appreciate any updates you can furnish regarding this case.

This incident has been a blow to our Chinese American community here in New York, where Mr. Zheng’s family resides. In fact, the local sentiment is that Mr. Zheng’s unfortunate death is the result of continued proliferation of a song entitled, “Meet the Flockers,” produced by rapper YG. In its first stanza, the song states: “[first], you find a house and scope it out; find a Chinese neighborhood, [because] they don't believe in bank accounts,” later encouraging people to break into their homes and, “get that jewelry box.”

The song unfortunately racially profiles Chinese Americans and illustrates them as a vulnerable and easy-to-target group. I, along with our local Chinese American community, am interested in knowing if the RPD has found any evidence to suggest racially motivated bias as the motive for this attack. If so, what strategies will be employed by the RPD to prevent future racially motivated attacks against Chinese Americans?

Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter and I look forward to collaborating with you in fighting against racial bias against our cities’ Chinese American communities.

Sincerely,

Nydia M. Velázquez
Member of Congress

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