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Chinatown Landlord’s Terrifying Encounter with Homeless Assailant

Photography of Harvard University Police Officers for annual Playing It Safe brochure. Rose Lincoln/Harvard Staff Photographer

On Tuesday, Brian Chin, a 32-year-old landlord in Chinatown and a Harvard fellow, shared with The Post a gripping account of his terrifying encounter with an armed homeless man. According to Chin, he was merely defending himself when the violent situation unfolded. He also provided a new video clip that captured the chilling event.

Chin, an Ivy League psychology student and teaching fellow at Harvard’s Division of Continuing Education, recalled his primary thought during the violent confrontation: ‘All I wanted was to safely return to my spouse and children,’. His ordeal began when he noticed a homeless man on the ground outside the Manhattan subway station at Chrystie and Grand streets, around 8:30 p.m. Saturday.

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Chin, a dedicated community leader who is known for his endeavors to clean up the area littered with junkies, approached the man wearing black rubber gloves. He explained that this was his usual method when reaching out to the homeless, prioritizing safety.

Chin has seen it all in the neighborhood park. He’s been around K2 users and has witnessed the unpredictable violence that can ensue when someone is startled awake. Just a year prior, a vagrant had killed one of his tenants, amplifying his concern for safety in the area.

On encountering the man, Chin asked him about his wellbeing, pouring out his concern. He recognized the man as a regular panhandler on Grand Street. While their past encounters had never been hostile, the upcoming events surprisingly took a swift violent turn.

Not receiving an answer from the man, Chin asked him more directly, ‘Do I need to call the authorities or an ambulance?’ What followed was an unexpected violent flurry. The man quickly launched an attack on Chin, using what Chin described as a ‘deadly weapon.’

Chin retaliated by raining down blows on the man’s head. He commented on how the neighborhood was stricken by drug overdoses, deaths, and ‘every possible horror you could imagine.’ The man’s sudden violent outburst took him by surprise.

The man’s frenzy did not end. Triggered by the mention of the word ‘cops’, he grabbed a metal folding chair and wreaked havoc. Following this, Chin momentarily left the scene to his nearby office essential break, only to return with the vivid memory of his tenant’s murder from two years ago.

Haunted by this past incident, Chin insisted on being watchful at the building’s front door when signs of violent behavior were noted. ‘I strive to ensure my tenants’ safety,’ he shared. Little did he know, this was far from over; the homeless man returned, this time armed with a spiked club.

Chin was taken aback as the man brandished the menacing weapon, a wooden club spiked with nails. ‘He pulled the club, raised it above his head and launched at me,’ recalled Chin, further emphasising the immense fear he felt in that moment.

Chin managed to dodge and evade the furious swings. ‘My only thought was self-preservation. If I hadn’t dodged those hits, I could’ve been fatally injured,’ he shared. When the man momentarily halted, Chin seized the opportunity to disarm him.

Chin rushed the vagrant, grabbing for the weapon. They both tumbled to the ground in the ensuing struggle. ‘With my right hand, I landed quick punches while my left attempted to wrestle the weapon away from him,’ Chin recounted. Surveillance footage confirmed the landlord’s aforementioned actions.

Eventually, Chin managed to take control of the club. He warned bystanders to call the police while backing away. The homeless man was later hospitalized with serious injuries. Yet, Chin argues that the man’s severe head wound was not his doing but occurred after a trip and fall when the police arrived. Furthermore, Chin expressed his fear over felony assault charges that could put his teaching career in jeopardy and potentially lead to seven years of imprisonment. He fervently maintains he was merely defending his life against an unprovoked attack.