NYU Student Randomly Attacked by Repeat Offender James Rizzo

Random Street Attack on NYU Student

• 🎯 A 20-year-old female NYU student was randomly targeted and attacked while walking to class on Broadway Avenue.
• ⚡ The assault involved the suspect speeding up behind her, striking her backside, and then pushing her down.
• 📸 The incident was captured on video, showing shocked eyewitnesses coming to the victim's aid.

Suspect Identified and Arrested

• 🔍 The suspect, identified as 45-year-old James Rizzo, is homeless and has a history of assaults on women.
• 🚨 Rizzo was arrested after being found sleeping in a nearby apartment building following a 911 call.
• ⚖️ He faces charges including assault, sexual abuse, and persistent sexual abuse.

Offender's Criminal History

• ⚠️ Rizzo is a level two sex offender with 16 prior arrests.
• ⛓️ He was released from state prison in September after serving two years for a persistent sexual abuse conviction.
• 📅 Court documents reveal a previous incident two years ago where he groped a woman in Greenwich Village.
• 🔪 Rizzo also has a prior murder charge on his record from 1997.

Victim's and University's Response

• 💬 The victim, Amelia Lewis, expressed relief over the arrest, describing the attack as the scariest experience of her life.
• 🤝 NYU stated they are offering support to the student and that their campus safety department assisted in the investigation.
• 🔍 Police are investigating if Rizzo has ties to other assaults on women in the area.