3 people injured in bottle attacks in Midtown; suspect arrested: NYPD

MIDTOWN, N.Y. (PIX11) – A man was arrested after three people were injured in seemingly random attacks with bottles in Midtown, according to the NYPD.

The first victim was attacked Thursday outside of the Whole Foods on Avenue of the Americas, police said.

A woman was then attacked with a bottle on the 2nd floor of the grocery store. She was taken to NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue.

The third person was hit by a bottle in a train car near 47th Street and Sixth Avenue.

Michael Howell, the suspect in the attacks, was arrested by police after the third incident.

A 23-year-old victim of the attack outside the Whole Foods said it was completely random.

“He just came up in front of me and smashed a glass bottle over my head,” the victim said. “It was a random attack. I didn’t know the person. I was just on the way to get some food.”

The victim suffered a gash on his head and had to get stitches. After attacking the 23-year-old man, Howell allegedly said “free my people,” according to the victim.

Howell also allegedly went into the store and hit a woman, then went into the subway to attack his third victim, police said.

“Three attacks all in a short period of time. We feel for those victims. Gladly our officers responded quickly, and through a canvass were able to effect an arrest and take this man off the streets,” said NYPD Chief of Patrol John Chell.