A 40-year-old man was arrested in New York City for allegedly punching influencer Halley Kate Mcgookin in the face as she walked along Seventh Avenue, prompting more than a dozen other women to share stories of similar seemingly random assaults on TikTok. Mcgookin reported the assault to police, who confirmed the incident and treated her for injuries to the left side of her face. The alleged assailant, Skiboky Stora, was arrested and charged with assault, with the investigation ongoing. The NYPD did not respond to requests for additional information on how the assailant was caught or if he could be responsible for other attacks.
Mcgookin’s viral video, which has been viewed over 41.2 million times, led other women to share their experiences of being punched by strangers while walking on the street. Many of the victims reported they were looking at their phones during the attacks, similar to Mcgookin. TikTok user Mikayla Toninato received a now-deleted comment from Bethenny Frankel, who said she was also a victim of a similar attack a few months ago. Other victims shared their stories, with comedian Sarah Suzuki Harvard saying she was punched in the back of her head by a random man. It is unclear how many of the women reported their assaults to the police, with some, like Harvard, initially assuming their attacks were isolated incidents.
The assaults in New York City are reminiscent of the “knockout game,” a trend where participants try to knock a victim unconscious with a single punch. The knockout game has been around since the late 1980s and early 1990s and has resurfaced periodically. In 2013, reports nationwide linked the knockout game to fatal attacks in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. Some police officials at the time dismissed the idea of a game being involved in these assaults as an urban myth. The recent attacks in New York City have raised concerns about the safety of pedestrians and the need for increased vigilance while walking in public spaces.
The incidents in New York City have sparked a conversation about the prevalence of random assaults on women and the importance of reporting such incidents to the police. Many of the victims have shared their stories on social media to raise awareness and encourage other women to come forward if they have been targeted. The response from the community has been supportive, with many expressing shock and concern over the attacks. It remains to be seen if any additional arrests will be made in connection with these assaults, and if there are any patterns or connections between the incidents.
The NYPD’s response to the assaults, including the arrest of the alleged assailant, highlights the ongoing efforts to address and prevent such attacks in New York City. The investigation into the assaults is ongoing, and the police department has not provided further details on the case. As more women come forward with their stories, there is a growing awareness of the need for increased safety measures and support for victims of random violence. The incidents serve as a reminder of the importance of community vigilance and working together to ensure the safety of all individuals in public spaces.
