A surveillance photo has captured the shocking moment when a grandmother was randomly assaulted and knocked unconscious in a brazen daylight attack in the Bronx. Martha Veloz, a 54-year-old resident of New Jersey, had just disembarked from the No. 4 train and was walking at the intersection of East 167th Street and Jerome Avenue in Highbridge around 3 p.m. on Wednesday when an unknown assailant struck her without warning. The incident, which left Veloz battered and traumatized, has raised concerns about the safety of women in the area.
According to both law enforcement officials and Veloz’s daughter, Stephanie Padin, 21, the surveillance photo obtained by The Post shows the victim falling to the ground while the attacker stands behind her with his arms outstretched. Padin recounted her mother’s account of the incident, stating that a man approached Veloz and struck her in the head with an unidentified object before forcefully pushing her to the ground. Veloz briefly lost consciousness and upon regaining it, found herself covered in blood, prompting her to cry out for help.
Veloz, who had just visited a doctor in Brooklyn, was en route to visit Padin’s father when the assault occurred. Good Samaritans in the vicinity rushed to assist Veloz, who was subsequently transported to Lincoln Medical Center. There, she received stitches on her lips and was treated for swelling and bruising on the back of her head and neck. Despite being in stable condition, Veloz continues to experience emotional distress and has developed symptoms consistent with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Padin expressed her mother’s fear of returning to the Bronx, stating that Veloz refuses to go there alone and now requires the presence of both Padin and her young daughter whenever she ventures out. The attack has left Veloz questioning why she was targeted and has caused her to suffer from frequent breakdowns. Padin, who herself has experienced PTSD, empathizes with her mother’s anguish and has been attempting to provide comfort and support.
This incident follows a series of assaults on women, primarily in Lower Manhattan, raising concerns about the safety of women in public spaces. Padin, acting as a translator for her mother, expressed Veloz’s desire to bring attention to the issue and called for increased efforts to apprehend individuals responsible for such attacks. She suggested that these assailants be either arrested or, if necessary, receive mental health treatment to prevent further incidents.
1 Response
This incident is like a sudden bolt of lightning on a clear sunny day. Just as the grandmother was going about her day, enjoying the warmth of the sun, she was unexpectedly struck down by an act of violence. The shocking nature of the assault is captured in the analogy, highlighting the unexpected and unprovoked nature of the attack.