An 81-year-old woman from New York City, identified only as Gloria, is determined not to let a random assault stop her from walking her dog daily, according to reports.
Gloria was attacked on the Upper West Side of Manhattan last Friday when a man punched her in the side of the head. Despite suffering bruises to her face and neck and being hospitalized, she told FOX 5 she feels “lucky” to be alive. “He could have had a knife,” she said, reflecting on the frightening encounter. “My neck was almost as fat as my face.”
The attack occurred near W. 66th Street and Amsterdam Avenue around 7 p.m. Surveillance footage obtained by FOX 5 shows Gloria walking her dog when a man in black passes her, appearing to say something. Moments later, he turns around, walks up behind her, and lands a punch to her face. The impact caused Gloria to hit her head on the side of the building before she fell to the ground.
Although the station paused the video before showing the full attack, it later shows Gloria lying on the ground as bystanders rush to her aid. Gloria, who suffered a concussion and doesn’t remember much of the incident, described it as “scary” but remains resolute in continuing her daily routine. “I’m not going to hide in my apartment,” she told FOX 5, showing her determination not to let the attack dictate her life.
The NYPD is currently investigating the incident, which adds to a troubling trend of violent assaults in New York City. Earlier this year, several women reported being randomly punched by strangers while walking in the city. One such victim, TikTok user Olivia Brand, shared her experience in a viral video, recalling how a man suddenly punched her and then apologized.
Despite the rising number of assaults, Gloria’s resilience and refusal to let fear control her life is a testament to her strength. As she continues to walk her dog, she remains cautious but determined to maintain her independence.