Teenager Attacked Again by Suspected Repeat Offender
A homeless man has struck again in New York City, with a shocking attack on a 94-year-old retired teacher. Audrey Harkins found herself on the receiving end of violence while at the Oculus Transit Hub on June 5 around 9:30 AM.
According to Harkins, a stranger approached her from behind and struck her with a metal object. “The city is in chaos,” she lamented, reflecting on her experience as a resident of Battery Park City.
Recalling the incident, Harkins mentioned that it occurred while she was on an escalator, en route to an exercise class. “I felt two sudden blows to the back of my head,” she said, drawing on her three decades of teaching experience in Long Island schools.
Initially, she thought she’d been hit with a hand. But law enforcement later informed her that the assailant had used two heavy pieces of metal. Harkins treated her wound with a paper towel while waiting for an ambulance, describing the situation as quite alarming.
Despite her ordeal, she hasn’t seen the attacker’s face but says she’s spotted him before, “skipping” through the area. A good Samaritan witnessed the attack and provided details to the police. Harkins required three stitches to close her head wound.
Authorities suspect that Edwin Wright, a 39-year-old repeat offender, is responsible for Harkins’ attack. He’s been in trouble with the law multiple times before and is currently wanted for another assault that occurred nearby last November.
In that previous incident, Wright allegedly punched a 15-year-old girl while she was on her way to school. Despite facing two counts of assault, he was released on supervised conditions by a judge. He subsequently missed a court date, leading to an arrest warrant being issued.
Wright’s history includes another alleged assault on March 10, where he reportedly attacked a 54-year-old man. In both instances, he has been released despite the serious nature of the offenses.
Attacks in the city’s transit system have surged, with a notable increase reported this year. Veteran police officers have voiced their concerns regarding bail reforms and the city’s decision to close Rikers Island, urging that tougher measures be taken.
As Harkins recuperates, she is contemplating a trip to Hawaii, a decision she made after years of living in Florida, which she described as unsatisfactory. Ultimately, she felt drawn back to New York, explaining, “One of my good neighbors said, ‘Do you want your highlights to be coming to the pool?’ That made me realize I needed to return.”
