Two Seniors Attacked In Unprovoked Assaults On UWS

UPPER WEST SIDE, NY – On Friday, Sept. 13, two seniors were attacked in apparently unprovoked assaults on the Upper West Side, police said.

At this time, the incidents have not been connected, officials emphasized.

The first victim, a 77-year-old woman, told police that she was walking near West 72nd Street and Columbus Avenue at about 2 p.m. when an unidentified individual approached her from behind and hit her on the side of her face, near her left eye.

The assailant fled the location on foot, according to police, traveling westbound on 72nd Street toward Columbus Avenue.

The woman refused medical attention, police said, and went home. She did not report the attack until Sept. 17.

Police have released a photo of a man who they believe is connected to the incident, and described him as a male with a medium build who was last seen wearing a black T-shirt, tan pants, and white sneakers.

Second Attack

A few hours later, at approximately 7 p.m., police responded to a 911 call regarding an assault in progress near 165 West 66th Street just off Amsterdam Avenue.

At the scene, officers found an unconscious and unresponsive 81-year-old woman on the ground, with trauma to her face and head, a spokesperson told Patch.

She too had been approached from behind and punched in what appears to be a second unprovoked attack, officials said.

The woman, who had been walking her dog, was transported to Mount Sinai Morningside Hospital in stable condition, police said.

Fox 5 interviewed the victim, who told the network that she feels “lucky” to be breathing and walking. Three days after the attack, the resilient West Sider was back out strolling with her dog.

“I’m not going to hide in my apartment,” she said.

Despite her injuries, she wants her attacker to receive treatment, not jail time. “It was not against me,” she told Fox 5, “he’s sick.”