By A 36-year-old woman visiting New York City was brutally attacked by a man with a history of crimes in a shocking incident near Times Square on Saturday. The assault occurred around 6:15 p.m. as the tourist walked down a busy sidewalk near West 43rd Street and Eighth Avenue.
Surveillance footage obtained by NBC News shows the attacker, identified as 61-year-old Cyril Destin, sitting on the side of a building. As the woman approaches, Destin stands up, revealing a knife in his right hand. He lunges toward the woman, plunging the weapon into her chest before calmly returning to his previous position.
The New York Post reported that Destin, who has a record of 14 arrests over the past 20 years for offenses such as criminal mischief and trespassing, was taken into custody by two police officers who arrived at the scene. They confiscated his knife and placed him in handcuffs.
The victim, stunned by the unprovoked assault, was transported to Bellevue Hospital, where she received treatment for a serious chest wound. She is reported to be in stable condition but was too shaken to discuss the traumatic experience.
Following his arrest, Destin was also taken to Bellevue Hospital for a psychological evaluation. Jamal Mubare, the owner of the Port Gourmet Deli near the site of the attack, told the New York Post that Destin is a regular at his shop and is known to reside in a nearby homeless shelter.
“I know this guy one year. He doesn’t look like he’s dangerous. I think he just didn’t take his medication or something. Everyone over there in the homeless shelter across the street is crazy,” Mubare said, suggesting that a lapse in medication might have contributed to Destin’s violent outburst.
Mubare described the incident, saying, “He goes outside he sits in his walker and he’s smoking his cigarettes and then the two women come out of the gift shop and he just goes and takes a strike at one of them. He did not know them. And then he just sat down like nothing happened he did not run away. He just sat there smoking a cigarette like I didn’t do anything.”
This shocking attack has reignited concerns about public safety and mental health issues in New York City. As the investigation continues, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by the city in addressing crime and providing adequate support for individuals struggling with mental health problems.
The tourist, whose identity has not been released, is expected to recover from her physical injuries. However, the emotional trauma of such a sudden and unprovoked attack may have lasting effects. The incident has left residents and visitors alike shaken, prompting calls for increased security measures and better resources for those grappling with mental health issues.
