A horrifying sexual assault occurred in the early hours of Saturday, just steps from Gracie Mansion, leaving a 19-year-old woman bloodied and screaming for help. The incident took place around 1:20 a.m. near East 90th Street and East End Avenue, approximately one block away from the mayor’s official residence.
An alert doorman rushed to the aid of the distressed woman after hearing her cries for help. Hector Mateo, a heroic doorman, is credited with spooking the assailant who had lurked up behind the victim and shoved her to the ground before assaulting her.
This young lady was on the floor frantically crying, blood on her shirt and nose,” recounted Mateo, who stayed with the victim until police arrived. He said his instincts as a father took over when he heard someone screaming and went down the block to investigate.
Mateo, who doesn’t usually work night shifts, stated that his wife told him it was “really God putting me on the right spot to help somebody else.” Other neighborhood doormen began warning residents to be cautious, particularly during late hours. The area is known to become desolate at night, making it more vulnerable for such incidents to occur.
The NYPD described the suspect as approximately 6-feet-tall and wearing a gray sweatshirt with white stripes and dark colored jeans. There have been no arrests made yet in connection to this case. The victim was taken to New York Presbyterian Cornell Medical Center in stable condition.
The shocking assault comes less than three weeks after another tragic incident occurred nearby, where a retired probation officer fatally shot her former daughter-in-law before taking her own life near Gracie Mansion. Both incidents have raised concerns about safety and security in the area surrounding the mayor’s residence.
