Manhattan's serene High Line became the site of a disturbing incident last month when a man allegedly attacked two young children. According to the office of District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg Jr, Ramny Lopez, 32, is facing serious charges including one count of Assault in the Second Degree and one count of Attempted Assault in the Second Degree, as well as two counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child. The Manhattan District Attorney's Office revealed these grave allegations in an announcement indicating their commitment to keeping the public spaces of New York secure for visitors and local families alike.
The assault, as it has been detailed, appears to have been sudden and unprovoked. Accounts from court documents and the record suggest that on October 15, Lopez struck a two-year-old child in the face while the toddler sat in their stroller. This occured as the family, which was visiting New York City, took in the sights on the High Line around 11:45 a.m. When the child's father confronted Lopez about his actions, he reportedly received a punch in the chest. Not five minutes later, Lopez is accused of punching a seven-year-old child's face, a short distance away, causing a swollen lip and a loose tooth.
Assistant D.A. Christopher Charnetsky from the Child Abuse Bureau is leading the prosecution, with oversight from Assistant D.A. Heather Buchanan and Executive Assistant D.A. Justin McNabney of the Special Victims Division. These officials are working closely with the NYPD and specifically thanked Detective Michael Miller of the 10th Precinct Detective Squad for their involvement in the case. In the words of District Attorney Bragg, "Parents shouldn’t have to fear for the safety of their children when walking through Manhattan." His assertion is a clear indication of the city's intolerance for such heinous acts, as reported by the Manhattan District Attorney's Office.
