In the bustling heart of New York City, an unsettling incident has brought the spotlight back onto urban safety. A New York University student fell victim to a random attack while on her way to class this past Monday morning. The chilling episode, captured on video, has since gone viral, sending ripples of concern throughout the community. The 20-year-old victim, speaking out about the ordeal, described it as the most terrifying moment of her life.

Authorities have apprehended James Rizzo, a 45-year-old suspect with a troubling history of criminal behavior. Rizzo was recently released from state prison in September after serving a two-year sentence for persistent sexual abuse. His criminal record reveals a series of 16 prior arrests, painting a grim picture of repeated offenses.

In one particularly alarming incident last December, Rizzo was arrested for forcibly touching a 33-year-old woman in Greenwich Village, reportedly taunting her with the question, “Oh, you want more?” This incident classified him as a level 2 sex offender, raising serious questions about his release and the potential threat he poses to the public.

As the investigation continues, the case underscores the need for heightened vigilance and robust measures to safeguard the city’s residents, particularly its students, against such random acts of violence.

Police say he is a level 2 sex offender for the 2023 forcible touching arrest.

He was also charged with attempted murder in 1997 for beating and stabbing a man in Brooklyn when he was 17 years old.

Amelia Lewis was walking down the street when police say Rizzo walked up behind her.

Police say he pulled her hair and slapped her head and buttocks, knocking her to the ground.

Bystanders watched in shock before a group of women behind her stopped to help and called 911.

Police say they later arrested Rizzo, who is experiencing homelessness, on Tuesday, and charged him with persistent sexual abuse, forcible touching and assault.

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The New York City Police Department said they were called for a man sleeping in a building. Investigators then made the connection to Monday’s attack, and arrested Rizzo.

He was also charged with burglary on four separate occasions in that building, mostly while residents of the apartments were sleeping.

He is also charged with assault for allegedly shoving a 68-year-old woman on Thanksgiving in Midtown, Manhattan.

Rizzo did not comment as he was led out of the 6th precinct in handcuffs on Tuesday night.

NYU says it is offering support to the student, and is pleased that the suspect is in custody.

“The University is pleased that a suspect has been apprehended in the attack on one of its students that took place Monday morning on a Broadway sidewalk,” NYU spokesperson John Beckman said. “We take this incident very seriously. We are continuing to offer support to the student, and our Campus Safety Department assisted the victim and worked with the police investigating the incident.”

Investigators are now trying to determine if Rizzo is responsible for other random attacks on female students at NYU.

Lewis posted Tuesday night that she is in “a much better place…knowing this perpetrator won’t hurt any more young women.”