73-year-old man attacked by stranger in Downtown Pittsburgh
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — A 73-year-old man was attacked by a stranger in Downtown Pittsburgh on Wednesday.
Pittsburgh Public Safety said officers were dispatched to Fourth Avenue and Smithfield Street at around noon for reports of an assault. At the scene, the 73-year-old man told police that he was walking down Fourth Avenue when an unknown man approached him and attacked him.
The man hit the victim in the head, knocking him down, officials said. He suffered injuries after falling. He was taken to a local hospital in stable condition, Pittsburgh Public Safety said.
Officials said they reviewed surveillance footage and charged 24-year-old Jameel Huff with aggravated assault in connection with the incident. He is in the Allegheny County Jail.
The man told police that he thought the 73-year-old man was a pedophile after "hearing it in his mind."
Earlier this month, an 18-year-old young woman was attacked by a stranger in Downtown Pittsburgh. Sofia Mancing suffered a concussion and a broken nose.
According to the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, Shurontaya Festa was the person who attacked Mancing. Festa was arrested and charged with aggravated assault and disorderly conduct.
One woman told KDKA-TV on Thursday that she does not feel safe in Downtown Pittsburgh.
"I'm actually petrified to walk in the city anymore," said Denise Seibel.
"I've worked here for 42 years and have never been scared in the city until basically when we came back from COVID," she added. "It's not the same city."
KDKA-TV reached out to Pittsburgh Public Safety officials and the mayor's office to learn what is being done to protect those living and working Downtown. In part, a statement said, "The safety of all residents is a top priority. ... We're committed to doing the work necessary to make Downtown a place where everyone who works, plays or lives Downtown feels safe and welcomed."
The victim also released a statement that said, in part, "As the city council is trying to encourage more people to live downtown, I urge them to make sure downtown stays safe so that we can better protect the people who live there."