Suspects plead not guilty in stabbing of tourist in Manhattan near Port Authority – NBC New York

A 61-year-old man has pleaded not guilty to assault and weapons charges for stabbing a tourist in the chest as she walked on a sidewalk in one of midtown Manhattan's busiest neighborhoods , announced the prosecutor.

Cyril Destin was charged Monday with assault, attempted assault and weapons possession in the May 11 attack on a 36-year-old woman near the Port Authority Bus Terminal, in corner of West 43rd Street and Eighth Avenue.

Surveillance video showed Destin sitting on his walker outside a bodega just after 6 p.m. He then stood up and pulled out a large kitchen knife as the woman walked beside him, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said. As she passed him, Destin rushed towards the victim, thrusting the weapon into his chest.

After the incident, Destin sat back down on his walker, still holding the knife. The victim stumbled, stunned by what had just happened. She was transported to Bellevue Hospital where she was treated for her injuries.

Destin was taken into custody a short time later.

The Manhattan district attorney's office said the woman was visiting the city with her daughter on a school trip.

“When tourists visit New York, they deserve to enjoy our city without fearing for their safety. Cyril Destin compromised this by allegedly stabbing a woman who was visiting his daughter and her daughter’s friend on a school trip,” Bragg said. “I hope the victim continues to heal from this unprovoked attack.”