Brooklyn man stabbed by stranger in bizarre, “random” attack

A 32-year-old man was wounded in the chest in a seemingly random stabbing on a quiet Brooklyn street, police and witnesses said Saturday.

The victim was standing outside a Mediterranean restaurant on Seventh Avenue near Lincoln Place in Park Slope around 9 p.m. Tuesday when a stranger rushed up to him and plunged a knife into him, police said.

The attacker may have mumbled something before bringing the knife down on his victim, police said.

“The guy was on the other side and he just crossed the street, turned around, stabbed the guy and just ran away,” said Sydni Hines, who works at a nearby restaurant. “The victim was next door [to us]. He was just standing there with two or three other people.”

EMS took the victim to New York Presbyterian-Brooklyn Methodist Hospital, where he is believed to have survived.

The victim told police that he did not recognize the man who attacked him. Police were told there was also no interaction between the two men before the attack.

“From what I understand, it seems to have been a coincidence,” said a witness who did not want to be named. “It’s quite shocking because this is a good area. I have never heard of an incident like this ever happening here.”

“I just hope the guy is OK,” he said.

Hines also believes the attack was random.

“I don’t know if anything happened before, but from what we saw … it just seemed random,” she said. “It’s not shocking because it’s Brooklyn. But it’s shocking for the area because it’s Park Slope, it’s a pretty good area.”

Police say overall crime in Park Slope, which is protected by the 78th Precinct, has dropped significantly this year.

Through Sept. 22, cops reported an 18% drop in neighborhood assaults, down to 121 from 148 this time last year. Robberies also fell 30%.

However, the number of murders in the area has risen to two from one last year, cops said.

Investigators recovered surveillance footage of the bearded attacker, who was wearing a black ski cap, white T-shirt and black jeans on the night of the attack.

Police released the images to the public on Saturday in the hope that someone would recognize him.

A $3,500 reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest of the attacker.

Anyone with information on the suspect’s whereabouts is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS. All tips are treated confidentially.

Originally published: September 28, 2024 at 2:50 p.m