Police Release Surveillance Video Of East Village Slashing Suspect

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Police have released surveillance video of a man wanted in connection with a slashing attack in the East Village.

The incident occurred late Saturday afternoon on East Sixth Street between Second and Third Avenues.

The victim, 30-year-old Anthony Smith, was on his way to have lunch with a friend when he said the attacker seemed to come out of nowhere.

"There was no conversation; no anything beforehand. It just happened out of the blue — the damn strangest thing," Smith told CBS2. "I hope they catch him soon, because he's a danger."

The suspect pushed Smith to the ground and cut him, leaving a long gash from his right ear to his mouth.

The social worker was rushed to Bellevue Hospital Center, where he underwent eight hours of plastic surgery to repair nerve damage to his face. His doctors said he may regain the ability to smile by this summer.

The suspect also cut Smith on his back, and his coat might have prevented more serious injuries.

Police describe the suspect as an Asian man in his 20s or 30s, 5 feet 6 inches tall and approximately 150 pounds, wearing a black waist length jacket, black skull cap, black pants and brown boots.

Anyone with information is asked to call the NYPD Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS, visit the Crime Stoppers website, or text tips to 274637 (CRIMES) and enter TIP577.

The attack came two weeks after a 24-year-old woman was slashed while walking to work in Chelsea. Kari Bazemore, 41, of the Bronx, is charged with felony assault and criminal possession of a weapon in that incident.