Viral Wash Heights Video Of Wood Plank Duel Sees Second Surge

WASHINGTON HEIGHTS, NY — Viral video — which shows a woman knocked to the concrete in a dual of wooden planks outside a Washington Heights deli — is experiencing a second surge.

The resurfacing of the two-year-old video showcases just how long the impact of going viral can last, and how even the backdrop can be changed by the experience of sudden online celebrity.

Twitter user @HeCantFight posted Friday morning video of the fight — which police said occurred outside Fenix Grocery Deli at 140 Audubon Ave. on May 20, 2020 — that has since been viewed 23,000 times.

"Ayoo," the caption reads. "New York Wild Asf."

The video shows a woman walk toward a man dragging what looks like a piece of wood. The man then swings his own wooden plank, which he uses to beat her in the head and send her flying to the ground.

An audible gasp is heard from the crowd of onlookers who watch the woman, who is unable to move.

Viewers found the encounter hilarious.

"That was funny af," one Twitter-user replied.

"The way I thought he was holding a baguette," another person commented.

"Equality at its finest," said a third.

But if Twitter enjoyed the humor, facts suggest the encounter had long-lasting implications for those involved.

Patch was not able to get in touch with the Fenix Grocery Deli as the phone number for the store is disconnected.

But online, the store has experienced a rebranding — a screenshot of the clash is the first image Google generates for Fenix Grocery Deli on search and GoogleMaps.

And police told Patch Friday morning that the woman involved faced criminal charges for shoplifting.

According to police's report from the 2020 arrest, the fight began when the woman, then 48, asked for free items from the Washington Heights deli.

An employee, 61, denied the woman's request and she took items off the shelf, then hit him with a two-by-four on the face and shoulder, police said.

The police report does not include any information about the woman's injuries, but notes she was charged with robbery and assault three days later.

Patch called the number of a woman with the suspect's name and asked about the encounter.

"That's not me," she said, and immediately hung up the phone.