“You’re a (expletive) liar. You’re Bosnian. I should just kill you now,” Dotson said of the woman’s account.

Based on that comment, he said, police are labeling the assault as a hate crime.

The woman was pushed to the ground and kicked before the attackers fled. A passer-by told police the woman was found unconscious. She declined to be taken to a hospital for treatment, saying she would go later.

Dotson said designating the attack as a hate crime could lead to additional charges and prison time. Suspect descriptions are scant and he is urging the community to help identify the men.

The incident occurred five days after Zemir Begic, a 32-year-old Bosnian man, was killed in the 4200 block of Itaska Street. About 1:15 a.m. Sunday, he was walking to his car with his fiancée and two others when four teens confronted the group. At least one of them struck Begic with a hammer. He suffered injuries to his face, head and abdomen. Police said they have no evidence to believe Begic was targeted because of his race, although some in the community have doubts.