Horrific footage captured the moment a man attacked a pedestrian with a baseball bat while out for a walk in New York City.
The 47-year-old victim was seen on the ground around 8 a.m. Tuesday in Hamilton Heights with his attacker standing over him, police said. It seemed as if the attacker had tracked his target before striking.
It’s unclear why the attack took place, but the unidentified attacker was seen walking behind the victim briefly before pulling the bat out of his pants. The attack came as crime increased by 40 percent this year compared to 2021.
The victim of the latest attack was seen on video collapsing to the ground after being hit in the head as another man walked by.
Footage then showed the attacker quickly turning away before walking back towards the man seconds later. It’s unclear if the two knew each other, but they appeared to have a falling out after the attack.
The victim suffered bruises and was taken to a local hospital, police said. The attack appeared to be aimed. No arrests were made.
Surveillance footage showed the moment a man with a baseball bat attacked a pedestrian in Hamilton Heights on Tuesday
The attacker was spotted walking just behind the victim and waited seconds before removing the bat from his pants
Without hesitation, the attacker punched the man, who then fell to the ground in pain
Police are asking for help identifying the attacker and are calling the Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS
The attacker was wearing sweatpants, a Nike sweatshirt, gray sweatpants and black shoes.
Police are asking for help identifying the attacker and are calling the Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS
The incident comes amid an ongoing crime wave in the city, particularly in the subway system, as Mayor Eric Adams insists his “blue wave” put more NYPD officers on patrol of the city’s subway system , is working.
Crime attacks in the city are up 13.2 percent from the same period last year, with 23,747 reported incidents as of November 27.
Robberies are also up 29.6 percent, with 15,972 reported incidents.
Total crime increased by 26.75 percent to 114,996 cases. About 88,400 were reported in the same period last year.
Violent crime in the Big Apple is up nearly 30 percent year-on-year
NYPD crime figures show crimes such as murder, rape and robbery are up 40 percent this year compared to 2021.
At least 2,096 crimes were reported between January and October – up from 1,570 in the same period last year – an increase of almost 34 percent.
A total of 210 crimes were committed in October, according to the NYPD — a slight increase from September’s 198.
Statistics for October include all types of crimes, including three murders, two burglaries, 51 robberies, 46 assaults and 108 grand larceny.
There have been nine homicides on the subway so far this year, compared to six in 2021, according to newly released data.
At least 12 people have been pushed in front of a subway so far this year, at least two fatally.
The data shows that serious crimes across the subway system have decreased by 13 percent over the past 28 days and by 5.4 percent compared to 2017.
At least 2,096 crimes were reported between January and November – up from 1,570 in the same period last year – an increase of almost 34 percent
But compared to pre-pandemic levels, crime rates are now staggeringly high, with subway homicides hitting their highest level in 25 years.
Precisely because of this violence in the transit system, Mayor Adams decided to put more police officers underground, with New York State even footing the bill for paid overtime.
But despite Adam’s statement of progress and numbers “traveling south”, shocking crimes are still being committed, including multiple stabbings over the past week that have left three injured over the past month.
Part of the rise in crime can be attributed to more people now using the subway system and workers returning to their offices.