SF DA Chesa Boudin drops charges against one of two suspects in viral attack on Asian man

Dwayne Grayson was arrested last week in connection to the attack. His charges have been dropped in favor of a restorative justice approach. Dwayne Grayson was arrested last week in connection to the attack. His charges have been dropped in favor of a restorative justice approach. Photo: / San Francisco Police Department Photo: / San Francisco Police Department Image 1 of / 4 Caption Close SF DA Chesa Boudin drops charges against one of two suspects in viral attack on Asian man 1 / 4 Back to Gallery

San Francisco District Attorney Chesa Boudin is withdrawing charges against one of the two suspects arrested in connection to a shocking viral video that shows an Asian man being robbed.

Twenty-year-old Dwayne Grayson, who police say recorded and uploaded the disturbing clip to social media, will no longer be charged with elder abuse, and will instead face "restorative justice," which involves rehabilitation and reconciliation with victims.

"We’ve been in conversation with the victim who expressed interest in a restorative justice outcome in this case," Alex Bastian, a spokesperson for the DA's office, told The Chronicle. “Specifically, against the young person who videoed the incident. We respect victims and their desires and we will explore a restorative justice outcome.”

Grayson was also suspected of violating probation for battery.

Earlier Monday, police arrested 56-year-old Jonathan Amerson, the person suspected of hitting the victim with a metal pole. He was charged with robbery and elder abuse, and is also suspected of robbing the same victim of his recyclables about two months ago in the same area.

The video showed a man believed to be Amerson threatening and swinging a pole at the victim who was trying to get back a shopping cart loaded with aluminum cans he had collected. A person recording the video told the victim to “go get your cans” and someone said: "I hate Asian n—."

Several people can be seen standing around in the Bayview neighborhood, but none of them interfered. Some mocked the victim.

No other arrests have been made in the case.

The Associated Press contributed to this report

Eric Ting is an SFGATE digital reporter. Email: eric.ting@sfgate.com | Twitter:@_ericting