NYU student minding her own business randomly assaulted by attacker with 16 prior arrests

A student from NYU has shared her harrowing experience after being hit and pushed to the ground by a man, the attack was seemingly random with no clear motivation. The woman has since spoken out on TikTok to warn others.

“I’m kind of freaking out right now,” Amelia states at the start of her video, “I feel like talking about it and letting other people know,” she explains. She then goes on to share her story of how she was assaulted by a man while on her way to a morning lecture. According to her, the incident occurred on Broadway, “off of Waverly Place,” around 9:20am.

“As I’m walking with my headphones I feel something like slap me so hard.” Amelia had expected it to be one of her friends playing a prank but when she turned around it was a man she didn’t know. He then grabbed her by the hair and threw her to the ground before fleeing the scene. Concerned bystanders helped Amelia back up but the experience clearly left her shaken.

Security footage from a local business was later posted online showing the vicious assault and it’s pretty shocking, especially considering the fact that the attack was completely random.

Who was the suspected attacker?

Police were able to swiftly apprehend the man suspected of committing the crime. James Rizzo, 45, was arrested and charged with the assault on December 3. The New York State Department of Corrections lists him as a level 2 sex offender with 16 prior arrests for forcible touching and sex abuse as per CBS.

Rizzo was released on parole in September but reportedly continued to attack women after getting out of prison. He’s facing a plethora of new charges which include four counts of burglary. He has also been charged with three counts of assault, all against women, although he pleaded not guilty at his arraignment hearing last week.

Commenters on TikTok were astounded that he should be walking free with so many priors, “The concept of James Rizzo having 16 prior arrests an[d] still walking free,” one incredulous viewer wrote. Another asked, “why is being a woman so damn hard[?]”

In an update video, Amelia stated that she had been to court to give her statement, however, there will still be a little wait to find out what Rizzo’s sentence may be. She explains that there will be another meeting or court session and then a decision will be made next week. 

Amelia also addressed a few comments stating she shouldn’t wear headphones, to which she agreed. Sadly, it seems women can’t even enjoy listening to music on a walk now without fear of something bad happening.