TikTok videos of women being punched in NYC lead to 2 arrests: NYPD
NEW YORK CITY (PIX11) -- Several women posted videos on TikTok detailing being punched in the head while walking in New York City this past week, leading to the arrests of two people connected to the alarming incidents, police said.
Halley Kate, an influencer with 1.1 million followers on TikTok, posted a video on Monday sharing how she was randomly assaulted. In the video, she explains how the punch caused her to fall to the ground, and a large bump is seen on her head.
The NYPD released a statement Wednesday night, relaying that investigators are "aware of a viral video." Investigators arrested and charged Skiroky Stora, 40, in connection to the incident, according to the NYPD.
Stora allegedly hit Kate on the head and knocked her to the ground while she walked down West 16th Street in Chelsea, police said. As mentioned in Kate's TikTok video, Stora was walking his dog during the attack, police said.
Authorities also said Stora has been accused of attacking other women in the past.
"The individual has been arrested and charged and is a criminal recidivist with an extensive criminal record. Your NYPD detectives were able to identify the man after he was previously arrested for similar attacks, only to be released back onto our streets. This incident will be his third arrest in the past six months. Your officers will continue to remain resilient in their efforts to stop violent criminals, ensuring the safety of our communities.
NYPD's statement posted to X, formely known as Twitter
Kate's video inspired other women on TikTok to share their stories of being randomly attacked. Another TikToker, Mikayla Toninato, posted a video on the same day and tagged Kate while recounting a similar attack that happened to her.
“I was looking down and I was looking at my phone, and like texting, and then, out of nowhere, this man just came up and hit me in the face,” she said in the video.
It's unclear if she filed a police report or if the NYPD was investigating the incident.
Authorities also arrested Franz Juedy, 33, in a separate unprovoked punching attack on Thursday.
Dulce Pichardo was walking home from work on Tuesday at around 4:30 p.m. when Juedy allegedly punched her in the head and face in Brooklyn, authorities said. Juedy allegedly hit Pichardo several times before he was restrained by the victim's relatives until police arrived, authorities report.
It does not appear that the incident involving Juedy and the incident involving Stora are connected.
Submit tips to police by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), visiting crimestoppers.nypdonline.org, downloading the NYPD Crime Stoppers mobile app, or texting 274637 (CRIMES) then entering TIP577. Spanish-speaking callers are asked to dial 1-888-57-PISTA (74782).
Charline Charles is a digital journalist from Brooklyn who has covered local news along with culture and arts in the New York City area since 2019. She joined PIX11 News in 2022. See more of her work here.