Multiple women including a former Real Housewives star say they’ve been punched in the face while walking in New York City, in what appears to be an inexplicable and worrying new trend.
American TV personality Bethany Frankel, 53, took to TikTok to share that a man walked up to her and pummeled her in the face.
She was not alone, as other women including college students and influencers lamented on the social media platform about similar attacks on them.
Parsons School of Fashion student Mikayla Toninato recounted in a TikTok video that she was texting on her phone when ‘out of nowhere this man just came up and hit me in the face’. She was left with a bruise under her left eye from the impact on her cheekbone.
Influencer Halley Kate Mcgookin also said in a TikTok video that she was ‘just walking’ when a man punched her in the face.
‘Literally I fell to the ground and now this giant goose egg is forming and I’m like, oh my god,’ she said, choking back tears. ‘It’s so crazy.’
Several other women shared similar experiences and at least two of them described suspects that were alike, NBC News reported.
Asked my Metro.co.uk why there so many women have been punched on the street and if they were investigating and finding any patterns, a New York Police Department (NYPD) spokesperson pointed to the agency’s statement posted on X (Twitter) on Wednesday.
‘The NYPD is aware of a viral video circulating on social media depicting a woman who was randomly assaulted in an unprovoked attack. The individual has been arrested and charged and is a criminal recidivist with an extensive criminal record,’ states NYPD.
‘Your NYPD detectives were able to identify the man after he was previously arrested for similar attacks, only to be released back onto our streets…
‘Your officers will continue to remain resilient in their efforts to stop violent criminals, ensuring the safety of our communities.’
It was the suspect’s third arrest in six months, according to NYPD.
The police department did not comment further on the matter.
NYPD also told Metro.co.uk that they arrested Stora Skiboky, 40, in connection with the attack on Mcgookin after she reported it on Monday. Skiboky has been charged with assault.
‘A 23-year-old female reported to police that on Monday, March 25, 2024 at approximately 1020 hours, she was walking in the vicinity of West 16 Street and 7 Avenue, when an unknown individual hit her in the head,’ stated a Deputy Commissioner Public Information spokesperson.
‘The victim fell to the ground and suffered injuries to the left side of her face. The victim was treated at a local medical facility.’
Toninato said that when she told her friends she had been punched, they sent her a TikTok video of another victim in the city.
‘I don’t know if this is like a thing that’s going around, but I guess if you’re in New York right now and you’re walking while looking at your phone,’ she said, ‘Maybe don’t do that.’
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