A horrifying random attack shook New York City’s Soho area on Monday afternoon, when a man suddenly slashed a 25-year-old woman in the neck using a broken glass bottle. The woman, who was walking on the corner of Wooster and Broome Streets, was attacked around 3 p.m., according to the New York Police Department (NYPD).
Police said the attacker smashed a glass bottle, threw it at another woman, and then picked up the shards to launch a violent attack on the 25-year-old victim from behind.
Victim Rushed to Hospital, Undergoing Surgery
The injured woman was immediately rushed to Bellevue Hospital, where doctors performed emergency surgery. According to NYPD Assistant Chief James McCarthy, she is currently conscious and alert, but still listed in critical condition due to the severity of the neck wound.
One eyewitness told AM-NY, “She did not look good. She was bleeding from the neck and looked very pale as she was put in the ambulance.”
Suspect Caught at the Scene, Identity Not Confirmed
The attacker, who reportedly gave a fake name to police, was taken into custody at the scene by officers. Witnesses say he appeared unstable and even smiled eerily at a photographer covering the incident.
Wearing a gold chain and an NYPD hoodie, the man reportedly said, “I am on camera,” while being photographed. The police have not yet officially identified him, and no charges have been confirmed as of Monday evening.
Mental Illness May Be Involved, Say Police
Authorities suspect that mental illness may have played a role in this violent and unprovoked incident, but investigations are still ongoing. The attacker had earlier targeted a 29-year-old woman by throwing the bottle at her, although she was not hurt.
This isn’t the first time a violent incident involving mental health concerns has made headlines in NYC recently. Earlier reports revealed a man with schizophrenia had attacked four of his nieces with a meat cleaver, further raising concerns about public safety and mental health care in the city.
