Caught On Video: Random, Unprovoked Bottle Attack In Harlem
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Police are searching for a man connected to what they're calling an unprovoked assault in Harlem.
Police say the attack happened during the day and was completely random.
Disturbing images show the brazen assault, which happened on Aug. 23 at around 1:30 p.m.
Surveillance video shows a 66-year-old victim walking westbound on West 129th Street at Convent Avenue, when an unidentified man strikes him in the head multiple times with a bottle.
The victim falls down in the street, and the suspect continues to hit him before eventually running away towards Amsterdam Avenue.
The video is upsetting to people who live and work on the quiet residential street.
"What do you think when you see that?" CBS2's Kiran Dhillon asked Amir Aalaam of the Convent Avenue Family Living Center, a shelter for displaced families at the same intersection.
"Wow. I can't believe that guy was hit over his head like that," Aalaam said. "It's very shocking and it's sad to hear that the assault happened on a senior person at that age."
Aalaam said he's never seen an assault like this in the area before, but others said they're not surprised.
One woman Dhillon spoke with works nearby at a facility helping people with mental illness.
"I live in New York City. Nothing shocks me out here. Nothing. Trust me. Nothing," the woman said.
Regardless, neighbors said they hope the victim recovers and the suspect gets caught.
"That's just unjustifiable and whoever was responsible for that, I hope they're apprehended as soon as possible," Aalaam said.
Dunia Diaz works at a laundromat nearby.
"You don't expect to come to work and be surprised with anything like that. It's scary. It's scary," Diaz said. "I'm always looking. I keep my eyes everywhere."
Police said the victim suffered injuries to his head and face but refused medical treatment until a later date.
Anyone with any information is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). You can also submit a tip via their website or on Twitter, @NYPDTips. All calls are kept confidential.
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