In a disturbing incident in Brooklyn, Dulche Pichardo, a 57-year-old school bus aide, was violently attacked by a man identified as Franz Jeudy, 33, as she was making her way home from work. The unprovoked assault, which was captured on surveillance footage, occurred on the sidewalk of Grand Avenue near Dean Street in Crown Heights. Pichardo recounted the shocking moment when she was sucker-punched by Jeudy, leading to her stumbling backward from the force of the blow.
The consequences of the attack were severe for Pichardo, who lost three teeth, suffered facial fractures, a broken jaw that required wiring shut, and nerve damage. The recovery process will force her to consume food through a straw for several weeks. Pichardo’s brother, a local restaurant owner, along with an employee, managed to chase down Jeudy. Despite their confrontation, Jeudy showed no emotion and denied assaulting Pichardo.
This act of violence has left Pichardo living in fear, prompting her to avoid men on the streets and to inform her son of her whereabouts, seeking his company for safety. She expressed a fervent hope that the city would take action to prevent such incidents in the future, emphasizing the need for New Yorkers to feel safe in their own streets.
Jeudy was charged with third-degree assault, a misdemeanor that does not make him eligible for bail. His criminal history includes previous arrests for assault, including an attack on a police officer in 2018 and another assault charge in 2019. Additionally, Jeudy faces harassment charges related to the attack on Pichardo.
The incident involving Pichardo is part of a disturbing trend of unprovoked attacks on women in New York City. Just hours earlier, another woman, 24, was punched in the head in the Flatiron district by an unidentified male assailant. These attacks, seemingly random and without motive, have raised concerns over the safety of residents and the phenomenon reminiscent of the so-called “knockout game,” where individuals are encouraged to assault strangers.
The New York City Police Department is investigating these incidents, with the recent arrest of Skiroky Story, 40, in connection with an assault in Chelsea, marking his third arrest in six months for similar offenses. The community is on edge as these attacks continue, highlighting the urgent need for effective measures to safeguard public safety and deter such senseless violence.