In a terrifying incident that occurred in the early hours of Sunday morning, a 23-year-old woman was assaulted and threatened with a firearm by a fiend who followed her into a residential building in New York City’s SoHo neighborhood. The assailant, who remains at large, subjected the victim to a horrifying ordeal, which included rape.
According to authorities and sources, the attacker trailed the young woman as she entered the building near Thompson and Prince streets at approximately 4:10 a.m. In chilling surveillance footage released by the NYPD, the assailant can be seen initially passing the entrance to the residence but quickly doubling back upon spotting the victim. He then brazenly grabbed the door and followed her inside.
Once inside, the assailant confronted the victim, menacingly warning her that he would shoot her if she made any noise. The terrified woman was then forcefully grabbed, placed in a chokehold, and sexually assaulted, according to police reports.
Following the traumatic incident, the victim was promptly taken to a local hospital for a medical evaluation. Meanwhile, law enforcement agencies are working tirelessly to apprehend the suspect, who remains at large. As of Monday, the alleged rapist had not been caught.
Authorities have released a description of the suspect in the hopes that it will aid in his identification. The attacker is described as having a dark complexion and slim build. At the time of the assault, he was observed wearing a black hoodie with red lettering arranged in the shape of a heart, gray pants with stripes, and eye-catching orange sneakers.
In their efforts to solve this heinous crime, the NYPD is urging anyone with information to come forward. Individuals who may have witnessed the incident or have knowledge about the suspect are encouraged to contact the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish speakers, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). Additionally, anonymous tips can be submitted through the Crime Stoppers website at https://crimestoppers.nypdonline.org/, or on social media platforms using the handle @NYPDTips.
As the community grapples with the shock and horror of this incident, it serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing need for vigilance and safety measures, particularly in urban areas. Authorities are urging residents to remain alert, travel in groups when possible, and report any suspicious activity to law enforcement.
In the face of such a brazen and violent attack, it is crucial that we come together as a community to support the victim and send a clear message that such acts will not be tolerated. The pursuit of justice for this young woman must be relentless, and we must all play our part in ensuring that our streets are safe for everyone.
