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Police: Legally Blind Quadriplegic Woman Slashed In Face In East Harlem

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A woman who uses a wheelchair was slashed in the face in what appears to be a random attack, according to police.

The 42-year-old victim was waiting at a bus stop on 125th Street near Lexington Avenue in East Harlem around 3:20 a.m. Sunday when the suspect cut her with an unknown object, police said.

Surveillance video shows the suspect, believed to be between 18 and 25 years old, walking up the stairs from a nearby subway station. Seconds later, he is captured running down the sidewalk and lunging towards the woman, who's not on camera, before taking off, CBS2's Ilana Gold reported.

Police said the suspect slashed 41-year-old Michelle Henderson in the face in front of Petland Discounts. Henderson is a quadriplegic with cerebral palsy and is legally blind.

Investigators said the victim told them she was trying to get to her home in the Bronx at the time, Gold reported.

According to police, the victim made her way to a fire station on 138th Street to get help. The victim was taken to Lincoln Hospital, where she received 50 stitches. Henderson is still at the hospital recovering.

Authorities said the crime was completely unprovoked and they're working to figure out a motive.

Police said the suspect didn't say anything to the victim during the attack.

Sources said the victim's story has been inconsistent, telling investigators she saw the last showing at the Magic Johnson Theater a few blocks away of a movie that wasn't even playing, 1010 WINS' Samantha Liebman reported.

People in the area are alarmed and on high alert.

"I'm surprised," said Kim Calimese of East Harlem.

"I think it's deplorable," said resident Melvin Calimese. "You should be aware of your surroundings. Anywhere I walk I look to the left and right of me all day long."

"There's no cops, it's all kind of people, the homeless, all of them are over here all the time," a woman who works in the area said.

Henderson's neighbors in the Claremont Village section of the Bronx said they can't believe the mother of two was the target.

"She's got a remote chair where she moves around," Angie Alvarez said. "She would have no way of defending herself."

The suspect was last seen wearing a black v-neck t-shirt, black basketball shorts with a white stripe down the side, and white basketball sneakers.

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.

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