NYC man is wanted for assault after he is seen striking a woman, 32, across the face on the street, in a mid-morning attack
A man is wanted for assault after he was filmed aggressively slapping a woman across the face in a random, mid-morning attack in New York City.
The NYPD has released footage of the disturbing incident that took place on November 28, near the intersection of Southern Blvd and Jennings St in the Bronx.
The suspect, who was wearing a hooded sweatshirt and a tote bag, was seen approaching the 32-year-old woman, around 10.25am as she walked on the sidewalk in the opposite direction.
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The NYPD released footage of the moment a man slapped an unsuspecting woman on the street in a mid-morning attack in the Bronx in November 28
Both were walking in the opposite direction before crossing paths one the sidewalk. The man was seen briefly pausing to strike the woman, 32, across the face with his left hand
As the two crossed paths, the man briefly paused in front of the unsuspecting victim, smacking her across the face with his left hand, before casually walking away.
Meanwhile, the woman was seen staggering sideways upon the blow to the face, and moving out of her attacker's path.
Appearing stunned, she did not fight back and continued walking in the opposite direction of the suspect.
She was later taken to Lincoln Medical Center for minor head injuries but is in stable condition, according to police.
The suspect remains at large however, and authorities are now offering up to a $2,500 reward for any information leading to his arrest.
The man is believed to be in his mid-20s and was last seen wearing the blue hoodie, and sweatpants. Anyone with information is asked to contact the NYPD at 1-800-577-TIPS.
The suspect - who is now being sought for assault - was seen walking away shortly after the attack. The incident took place near the intersection of Southern Blvd and Jennings St
Crime rates have risen in New York City in the last 11 months, amid the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak that has taken a toll on and its police. While assaults in November were 5.2 per cent lower than in November 2019, shootings and murders are on the rise
The random attack comes amid a surge in crime in New York City, which has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The latest crime report shows that while assaults in November were 5.2 per cent lower than in November 2019, shootings and murders are on the rise.
Citywide shooting incidents through the first 11 months of 2020 surged to levels unseen in years, the NYPD said.
Twenty-eight people were murdered in the five boroughs, last month - five more than were killed last November.
This year has also seen a 38.4 per cent increase in the number of victims murdered in New York City compared to last year.
'Whatever the challenge, our NYPD officers have shown innovation and determination to get the job done this year,' Police Commissioner Dermot Shea said in a news release.
'Our work to reimagine the kind of policing New Yorkers deserve is always evolving, in line with our agency's best traditions to reflect the needs of everyone in our city.'