Assemblyman William Colton (D—Gravesend, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach and Dyker Heights) and his Chief of Staff Susan Zhuang (now on unpaid leave) met this afternoon with Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez to discuss the September 28 incident in the schoolyard of I.S. 201 and its aftermath.

Also present for the meeting were community leaders Yiatin Chu, Lina Chan and Sam Zheng; as well as Alexander Gurevich, senior associate director for the Brooklyn DA’s Office of Public Engagement; Dave Klestzick, deputy chief of the trial division for the Brooklyn DA’s Office; and Kin Ng, deputy bureau chief at the Brooklyn DA’s Office for the Blue Zone, covering the 68^th Precinct, where the initial incident took place.

“it was a very productive, heartfelt meeting,” said Assemblyman Colton and Susan Zhuang, who praised DA Gonzalez for his thoughtful, cautious approach to dealing with the incident, in which a group of Asian students was allegedly assaulted by classmates, and which escalated a few days later, when a man related to the alleged assailants is reported to have showed up at the home of one of the victims in the original encounter, allegedly armed with what has been identified as a scooter handle. At that point, the student’s father also got involved, and was arrested, along with the other adult, when police arrived on the scene.

According to Assemblyman Colton, DA Gonzalez’s office is currently investigating the incident, interviewing the individuals involved and viewing videos. “He gave us over two hours with key associates in his office and listened intently to everything we had to say,” Assemblyman Colton said. “We are optimistic that, at the end of the process, justice will be served.”

“DA Gonzalez explained that the process which must be followed, including submitting all the evidence and findings to a grand jury for its action,” added Zhuang.

“DA Gonzalez and his team explained the process and assured us they are diligently working towards a fair outcome,” said Chu. “I feel confident that he will do the right thing.”

Looking ahead, Zhuang noted that prevention of future incidents is important. To that end, she said that, “The DA also agreed to continue offering programs on the issue of bullying to any community groups or schools that are interested.”