A 68-year-old woman was brutally attacked and robbed as she made her way to church in Queens, New York this past weekend.
The victim, whose identity has not been released, sustained a skull fracture and is currently in critical condition, according to a family member. The suspect, who is still at large, followed the woman up the steps of St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church before jumping in front of her and violently knocking her down.
Security camera footage has been released of the incident, showing the woman falling backward on three steps before landing on her back. The suspect can be seen rummaging through the victim’s purse before making off with $300 and her cell phone.
The suspect then stole the victim’s car, a 2006 Nissan Altima, and fled the scene. The victim’s nephew, Daniel Coffaro Hill, spoke to Fox News, stating that his aunt was on her way to mass as she does every Sunday when the attack occurred.
Hill revealed that his aunt suffered a skull fracture and is currently in critical condition. However, the family remains hopeful as they have visited her in the hospital and she is able to speak to them to some extent. Hill also stated that the whole family has come from out of state to see the victim and it is believed that she will have a long recovery period ahead.
The incident has left the community in shock and outrage. The victim’s family is devastated and has asked for privacy during this difficult time. The police are actively searching for the suspect and have released a description to the public.
According to the NYPD, the suspect is described as a man with a “dark complexion,” aged 18 to 25, standing at 5-foot-8 with a medium build. He was last seen wearing a red hooded sweatshirt, a black jacket, black pants, a black face mask, and black Jordans with red trim.
The police have also revealed that they have managed to recover a fingerprint from the victim’s car and are following leads based on this evidence. The community has been urged to come forward with any information they may have regarding the incident or the suspect involved. The NYPD has also provided a hotline for tips, where anyone with information can call anonymously.
The incident has sparked concern and conversation about safety and security in the neighborhood. Residents have expressed their shock and distress about such a violent attack taking place in broad daylight in their community. Many are calling for increased police presence and surveillance to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.
Authorities are continuing their investigation and are urging anyone with any information to come forward. The victim’s family, friends, and community are praying for her recovery and for justice to be served. They are also calling on the public to remain vigilant and aware of their surroundings to help prevent similar incidents from happening. The victim’s nephew has stated that the family is grateful for the outpouring of support from the community and they are hoping for a swift resolution to the case.
