New York City police have made an arrest in connection with a brutal face slashing of a tourist, following a key tip from the victim’s mother. The incident, which occurred earlier this week in the bustling Times Square area, left a 24-year-old tourist with severe facial injuries, sparking a swift police response.
The attack took place on Monday afternoon, when the victim, identified as Emily Parker from Ohio, was walking near the intersection of 42nd Street and Broadway with her family. Police say the suspect, later identified as 19-year-old Marcus Collins, approached Parker from behind and suddenly attacked her with a sharp object, slashing her face multiple times. The assailant fled the scene immediately after the attack, leaving Parker bleeding and in shock.
What initially seemed like a random act of violence quickly took a turn after Parker’s mother, who was with her at the time, remembered seeing the suspect earlier. The mother reported a suspicious young man acting erratically near the scene. Acting on this tip, officers were able to review surveillance footage from the area, which showed Collins fleeing the scene, confirming the description provided by the victim’s mother.
Police tracked down Collins within hours of the attack, arresting him at a nearby subway station. During questioning, Collins reportedly confessed to the crime, though the motive for the attack remains unclear. He faces charges of assault, attempted murder, and weapon possession.
The attack has shocked both locals and tourists alike, given the popularity of Times Square as a destination for visitors from around the world. “It’s terrifying to think something like this could happen in such a public place,” said local resident Jennifer Martinez. “I’m glad they caught him so quickly.”
Emily Parker, who was treated at a nearby hospital for deep lacerations and is expected to recover, expressed her gratitude for the swift police action. “I’m just so thankful for my mom’s quick thinking and the police officers who responded so fast,” she said in a statement.
As Collins awaits his trial, New York City officials have renewed their calls for increased vigilance and security measures in high-traffic areas to protect both residents and visitors. The case serves as a reminder of the dangers that can lurk even in the busiest parts of the city, but also highlights the importance of community cooperation in ensuring public safety.