NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — A man accused of slashing a tourist on the Upper West Side in November was indicted on charges related to the unprovoked attack, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg announced on Tuesday.
Joshua Zinberg, a Manhattan resident, is charged with second-degree attempted murder, first-degree assault and second-degree assault, all felonies, in the Nov. 20, 2024, slashing.
According to court documents and statement, at about 10:22 a.m. on the morning of the assault Zinberg left his parked car and ran across Columbus Avenue to chase after a 55-year-old man walking along West 86th Street.
Zinberg was holding a knife as he pursued the victim, whose back was facing him, and attacked the man unawares once he caught up.
The accused allegedly slashed the side of the tourist’s face, through his ear and into his neck, prosecutors said. When the victim turned around, Zinberg was already running back to his car. He fled the scene.
The victim was taken to Mount Sinai Morningside Hospital where he received medical treatment for his severed ear and the deep laceration in his neck, officials said.
Zinberg was apprehended the next day while driving his car on the Upper West Side. He was wearing the same shorts and shoes he wore during the slashing, and possesses a knife, prosecutors said.
“Joshua Zinberg allegedly slashed an international tourist who was walking on the Upper West Side in an unprovoked and brazen daylight attack. When tourists visit New York, they should not have to fear for their safety,” Bragg said. “We will continue to prosecute those who commit random acts of violence on the streets of Manhattan.”