Woman sexually assaulted at knifepoint in Central Park
Police are searching for a man they say sexually assaulted a woman in Central Park on Saturday night.
The attack happened near East 66th Street and Fifth Avenue at about 8:30 p.m.
Investigators say the suspect threatened the woman with a knife and then assaulted her.
A bystander called 911 and the suspect ran away westbound into the park.
The victim, a 39-year-old woman, was taken to a hospital.
Details about the man being sought remain limited. Investigators believe he is in his 30s and was last seen wearing a black hoodie, black sweatpants and carrying a black backpack.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani said Monday that what happened to the victim is "horrific."
"This is something that no one should have to endure. We know that every New Yorker should be able to walk anywhere in our city, at any time of day, and they should be safe. Anything less than that is not something that I will ever justify or accept. And so, when it comes to this specific case, the NYPD is conducting an investigation into it," Mamdani said.
Witness Andrew Trahair said he encountered the scene while riding his bicycle through the park shortly after the attack.
"I rode past them and there were eight police officers here. The woman was standing there and was quite shaken," Trahair said.
Trahair said he came upon the scene at about 8:45 p.m. and observed officers speaking with a woman who appeared distressed.
The attack prompted concern among parkgoers.
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Jenny Lee, who was headed to a volunteer event in the park, said the violence altered her plans.
"I'm going to take a walk and wait until it's later out, because I have to go and do a volunteer event inside the park," said Lee.
Lee said she decided to wait until daylight before entering the park.
Councilwoman Virginia Maloney, who represents the Upper East Side, issued a statement following the attack.
"I run in Central Park myself. Women deserve to feel safe there, at any hour."
According to NYPD statistics cited in the report, there have been four reported rapes so far this year, compared with three during the same period in 2025. The figures do not include this weekend's assault.
Ian Moreira, who frequents the area for work, said the incident was unsettling.
"It's very scary actually, because I come here a lot, especially to this area," said Moreira.
Pablo Agustim Escobar, who was visiting Central Park for the NYRR Kids Race, said he hopes the suspect is apprehended.
"I cannot even imagine hoe she would feel and I hope the responsible is found," he said.
The investigation remains ongoing as police continue to search for the suspect.
