6th Woman Comes Forward After Incident In Manhattan
In recent weeks, New York City has been plagued by a string of random, unprovoked attacks against women on city streets.
The most recent incident occurred on March 20th in Union Square, where a 33-year-old woman was walking along Union Square East when a stranger approached her from behind and punched her in the face. The suspect then fled the scene, leaving the victim with minor injuries. This marks at least the sixth similar attack since March 20th, with the most recent one being reported just this week. The New York Police Department is currently investigating the incidents and is actively searching for those responsible.
On March 20th, the same day as the Union Square attack, another woman was punched in the face in Chelsea. The 23-year-old victim was taken to the hospital with a nose injury. These attacks have left the city in a state of fear and have many residents on edge. Reina Rodriguez, a resident of Chelsea, expressed her concerns, saying “It’s so difficult to live in New York City right now. Personally, I am afraid to be in the streets.” The NYPD has not declared a connection between the attacks, but they have arrested three suspects in different incidents.
The attacks, which have mostly targeted women in their 20s, occur during broad daylight, making them even more alarming. However, in a recent case caught on camera, a group of strangers banded together to stop an attack on a woman in Chelsea.
The assault was caught on camera by an apartment dweller and shows a man punching a woman twice before being stopped by a group of individuals within seconds. The assailant is then left unconscious on the pavement, and the group disperses into the night as if nothing happened. The NYPD has not yet commented on this particular incident, but the video has been circulating on social media.
The string of attacks has led to a 10% increase in misdemeanor assaults in the city compared to last year, according to NYPD statistics. The police are currently reviewing surveillance footage and urge anyone with information to come forward and help with the investigation. It is unclear if any of the incidents are related, but they all follow a similar pattern of unprovoked attacks on women in the city.
The Union Square attack on March 20th and the Chelsea attack that same day are consistent with other recent assaults. Late last month, two men were arrested in separate incidents after TikTok videos were posted by female victims who were randomly punched by strangers on the street. Four similar attacks have been reported in the days surrounding these incidents, causing widespread concerns among women in the city. In both cases, the victims posted videos on social media shortly after being attacked.
On March 27th, 40-year-old Skiboky Stora and 30-year-old Mallik Miah were arrested and charged with assaulting TikTokers Halley Kate Mcgookin, and Mikayla Toninato, respectively. Both attacks occurred in the vicinity of West 16th Street in Chelsea. Another victim, 25-year-old TikToker Olivia Brand, was punched in the head on March 17th in lower Manhattan.
A 36-year-old woman was punched in the back on March 25th while walking at Rivington and Chrystie Streets on the Lower East Side. On March 26th, a 24-year-old woman was punched in the head by a stranger in the Flatiron District while walking along Sixth Avenue near 23rd Street.
The most recent incident, which occurred in Union Square, adds to the growing concern and fear among women in New York City. The NYPD has offered tips for women on how to stay safe, including being alert and aware of their surroundings, avoiding walking alone and using well-lit and busy streets. They are also advising women to walk with confidence and to trust their instincts if they feel unsafe.
The investigation into these random attacks is ongoing, and the NYPD is urging anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS. The city remains on high alert as authorities search for the individuals responsible for these unprovoked assaults on women.