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A 16-year-old girl was attacked by a stranger while waiting for pizza after track-and-field practice in Flatlands, according to her mother and police.
Police are searching for a man caught on camera attacking the teen Tuesday around 6 p.m. The girl’s mother, Toshane Thompson, said the incident happened after her daughter left practice and ran across the street to grab a slice.
“I was devastated,” said Thompson. “I was angry because, you know, that’s a child.”
Thompson said her daughter was standing in line when the man began staring at her, then suddenly drop-kicked her, sending her crashing to the ground.
“She was crying and stuff like that and then her friend used her phone to get a picture of him and he turned around and he was smiling,” the mother said.
Thompson said her daughter did not say anything to the man before the attack.
“I would never really expect something like this to happen, especially if you see somebody and they’re in their school uniform,” said Thompson. “They’re not adults, you know, they’re kids. So why would you even think about trying to assault a kid just like that for no reason?”
Crown Fried Chicken & Pizza is located on Glenwood Road, across the street from South Shore High School, a place where students frequently stop for food after school.
Thompson said she wants to warn the community and hopes someone recognizes the suspect.
“If anyone sees this guy, knows this guy, call the authorities and report it,” she pleaded.
She said her daughter suffered minor injuries to her arm and back, but the emotional impact has been worse.
“She’s still shaken up,” said Thompson. “She’s traumatized from what happened. It made me sad. I’m traumatized, too.”
Police are asking anyone who recognizes the suspect to call them.