PROSPECT LEFFERTS GARDENS, Brooklyn (PIX11) — A woman who suffered burns to her face after someone threw a chemical substance at her in a Brooklyn subway station spoke out about the attack Friday night, telling PIX11 News she will be scarred for the rest of her life.
“She was aggressive with her words and with her body language,” the 21-year-old victim told PIX11 News.
The victim wants to remain anonymous to protect her safety, but she shared pictures of the severe burns to her face. Police said it happened early Friday morning. The victim was heading to her job at Kings County Hospital. In a video taken by the victim, the suspect splashed an unknown chemical substance on the victim’s face.
“Me being a New Yorker born and raised, I knew this wasn’t going to end in a good way,” the victim told PIX11 News when asked why she knew to take the video and pictures.
Police said the attacker got into an argument with the victim on the southbound platform of the Nostrand Avenue and Winthrop Street station around 1:10 a.m. The suspect followed the victim up the stairs and flung the substance in her face, according to police and the victim.
“She was following me throughout the station and then followed me up the stairs, and before I knew it, she threw acid on my face,” the victim told PIX11 News.
The victim was taken to Kings County Hospital and transferred to the Jacobi Hospital Burn Unit in the Bronx.
“I don’t think I’ll ever be fully OK. This was a traumatic experience,” the victim told PIX11 News. “I have a few signs of PTSD. So mentally and physically, there’ll be scars on my face for the rest of my life.”
Less than 12 hours after the attack, police had put up posters offering a $3,500 reward for information leading to the arrest of the attacker, who they described as being of medium build and between 20 and 30 years old.
The victim is still in Jacobi Hospital awaiting word if she will need surgery.
The MTA released a statement: “This perpetrator needs to face justice and, if appropriate, get serious mental health treatment.”
Submit tips to police by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), visiting crimestoppers.nypdonline.org, downloading the NYPD Crime Stoppers mobile app, or texting 274637 (CRIMES) then entering TIP577. Spanish-speaking callers are asked to dial 1-888-57-PISTA (74782).
