New York, N.Y. — A 45-year-old man has been arrested following an alarming attack on a 20-year-old New York University student, Amelia Lewis, which was captured on surveillance video. The incident occurred Monday morning as Lewis was walking to class at the intersection of Broadway and 8th Street.
In the disturbing footage, Lewis is seen walking when the suspect abruptly approaches her from behind, pulling her hair and striking her on the head and buttocks. The force of the assault caused her to fall to the ground as bystanders looked on in shock. Several women quickly came to her aid and called emergency services. Eyewitnesses described the scene as deeply unsettling.
James Rizzo, the arrested suspect, faces several charges, including persistent sexual abuse and assault. He was taken into custody on Tuesday after police linked him to the attack while responding to reports of a man sleeping in a nearby building. As officers escorted him from the precinct in handcuffs, Rizzo chose not to comment.
In a social media post, Lewis shared the surveillance video of the attack, emphasizing the violence of the encounter. She expressed gratitude to a friend who obtained the footage, which she forwarded to campus security and subsequently to the police. Lewis urged other students to be vigilant, warning, “This is the guy who has been assaulting many girls around campus… If you see him, please call 911.”
Lewis recounted her fear after the attack, stating, “I’m a student at NYU. I should not be scared walking to my 9:30 a.m. class… This is unacceptable.” Her sentiments resonated with other students on campus, many of whom reflected on their own safety concerns. Graduate student Ashlyn Prieto noted, “I saw the video… It’s definitely something to be more on the lookout for.”
In light of the incident, NYU officials have expressed their commitment to student safety. A university spokesperson characterized the situation as serious, confirming that campus safety officers had assisted Lewis immediately after the incident. Authorities are now investigating whether Rizzo’s actions might be connected to other assaults on female students in the area in recent months.
The case has stirred conversations among the student body about safety measures and the atmosphere on campus. Freshman Rachel Rosenberg articulated a common feeling, saying, “I’ve always been concerned about safety a little bit, but seeing something like that happen makes me even more worried.”
As investigations continue, both the university community and local law enforcement are actively working to ensure the safety of students and address any ongoing threats.