A French tourist was randomly attacked by a crazed Brooklynite in Midtown on Saturday morning. The victim, Philippe Mary, was punched in the head by Norman Nelson, which caused him to fall and hit his head on a stone step outside a Burger King. Two bystanders intervened and scuffled with Nelson before he walked away. Mary was taken to Bellevue Hospital for treatment of his injuries.
Nelson, who has a history of prior arrests, was charged with third-degree assault and aggravated harassment for the attack on Mary. He is also facing charges for a separate incident where he allegedly hit an 81-year-old man in the head with a crate in the East Village. The elderly victim, Peter Bardazzi, was treated at NYU Hospital for his injuries.
Bardazzi described how he was attacked by Nelson while running errands and how bystanders came to his aid. He noted the shock of the random assault and the impact it had on his perception of the neighborhood. Despite the incident, he emphasized the importance of taking extra precautions while going about daily activities.
The manager of the Burger King where Mary was attacked expressed concern over ongoing issues with homelessness and violence in the area. He highlighted the dangers of walking down the street and the challenges faced by businesses in the neighborhood. Nelson’s prior arrests have mostly been for fare evasion, indicating a pattern of disruptive behavior.
The situation in Manhattan’s West Side has raised alarm, with Councilman Eric Bottcher describing it as a “humanitarian crisis.” He called for urgent action to address the issues of instability and threats posed by individuals on the streets. The plea for assistance underscores the need for intervention to restore safety and security in the neighborhood.
