MANHATTAN — A man accused of attacking a 35-year-old pregnant woman with a metal pipe in an unprovoked assault last month has been formally indicted, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr. announced Monday.
Raquan El, 37, faces charges of attempted assault in the first and second degrees, as well as criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree.
“Raquan El allegedly attacked a vulnerable New Yorker—an unsuspecting pregnant woman who was a complete stranger to him—in a brutal act of violence with a weapon,” said District Attorney Bragg. “We will not tolerate New Yorkers being assaulted. I wish the victim a speedy recovery.”
The incident occurred around 4:03 p.m. near West 18th Street and 6th Avenue. Prosecutors say El struck the woman in the head with a metal pipe as she was walking in the area. The attack was entirely unprovoked, according to officials.
The victim was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment. Her condition has not been publicly disclosed.
Officers located El just two blocks from the scene, still carrying the metal pipe, and took him into custody.
El now awaits further legal proceedings as the case moves forward.
