A New York-based influencer experienced a random attack when she was punched by a stranger in the Upper East Side. Kindra Hall, 44, shared security footage on Instagram, recounting the event and her struggle to manage the situation.
The incident occurred on May 14 at around 10:30 AM. Initially, Hall didn’t intend to share the video, but she felt there were important aspects to the story that needed to be expressed.
The footage shows Hall walking down the street when a man approaches and unexpectedly strikes her. After being hit, she fell down close to the road.
Hall mentioned that she wasn’t distracted at the time because she hadn’t been on a call when it happened.
Following the attack, she began recording others nearby. At one point, the assailant turned and instructed her to “obey” where he lived.
Hall reported it took about 30 minutes for the New York Police Department (NYPD) to respond. She felt that even after showing them the video, the officers seemed to downplay the seriousness of the situation.
She noted that the aggressor wouldn’t leave and mentioned going to the location he shouted about after claiming he had a “headache.” Hall described the experience as terrifying, wondering if the police thought she might back down.
Later in the video, police can be seen handcuffing the attacker, identified as Yao Reid, 43.
Hall pointed out that she had secured the security footage herself since the police only entered the nail salon when she mentioned the CCTV. However, they told her only the owner could access the footage.
Eventually, her husband went to the salon, and they were quickly able to get the footage from the owner.
According to reports, Reid faces a charge of third-degree assault. Officers indicated they were responding to several high-priority calls in the vicinity, including reports of gunfire.
Ms. Hall expressed gratitude that things did not escalate further, stating, “I’m thankful it was me and not someone else who might not have handled it as well.”
She also hoped the assailant would receive the support he clearly needed.
