A New York woman says she was attacked by a homeless man while at Whitehall train station. The man threw a bag of chips and a stone at her out of the blue. Thankfully, she defended herself with pepper spray, and the man backed off.
The story was shared by the woman on her TikTok under the username iluvmulani. It got over half a million views, with many users expressing concern and anger over the incident at the train station.
The woman said that she and her friend accidentally rode the wrong train and were trying to go back to their home. She was talking to her friend when the homeless man assaulted her. Since the woman was always wary when heading out, she was especially wary of men, claiming that she had been approached by creeps since she was in fifth grade.
So when the man attacked, she pulled out her pepper spray and the man backed down, even saying sorry. The New York woman wasn’t buying it, though, as she kept yelling at him. The man then walked away, though he kept mouthing off at her.
TikTok Applauds New York Woman’s Quick Pepper Spray Reflexes
TikTokers who saw the video condemned the man for his actions, with some also applauding the woman for her quick reaction and for defending herself. The video also caused people to discuss attacks, with many claiming that men seemed to have a tendency to target women. Others argued that wasn’t always the case, with one person claiming that a homeless woman attacked them after asking for money.
Other people just said to always stay away from homeless people, claiming that they were dangerous. Some also shared their horrible experiences with homeless people in the past.
Some users, however, claimed to know the man who attacked the New York woman. “That man SA’d me in the staircase! He’s dangerous! He is in a gang in Grand Concourse Bronx,” one commenter said.
A handful of commenters remarked that they were now looking to get some self-defense items to protect themselves. Though one user remarked that you need to register those items.
“As a NY girlie, just remember we need to REGISTER, yes, register our damn pepper spray. Bear mace, tazers, will get you legally in trouble. Which is INSANE to me because what do you mean we can’t protect ourselves, but yeah, protect yourself from crazy men and the law!!!! Buy and register your pepper spray!” one commenter wrote.
The horrible incident has now triggered quite the discussion online on the dangers of homeless people and the need to always be ready for self-defense. It’s unclear what the man intended to do to the New York woman, but at least she’s now safe.
