A shocking incident occurred at an Upper East Side Apple store this week, where a 94-year-old retired doctor was randomly punched by an attacker. Moshe Labi, along with his girlfriend Evelia Butt, had just purchased a new Apple Watch when chaos erupted in the store. Labi described how they waited for the commotion to die down before leaving, but within seconds, he was punched in the face by a stranger.
Fortunately, Labi was standing against a wall, which softened the impact of his fall. Despite this, the traumatic experience has left him feeling insecure and vulnerable. As a Holocaust survivor who has lived a remarkable life, Labi expressed his disbelief at the senseless attack.
Born in Libya, Labi fled with his family during World War II and eventually settled in New York City, where he worked as a doctor before retiring. He recently published a memoir chronicling his journey from adversity to success. Despite his medical background, Labi did not seek hospital treatment after the attack, choosing instead to accompany officers to the local precinct.
Labi, who was also a martial arts instructor in the past, admitted that the attacker took him by surprise. He believes the assailant was mentally unstable and in need of help. Labi emphasized the importance of addressing the issue of mentally disturbed individuals roaming the streets, as he considers himself lucky that the incident wasn’t more severe.
Meanwhile, Butt revealed that the attacker had become agitated after his credit card was declined while trying to purchase a phone. He then proceeded to harass a woman outside the store before assaulting Labi. The assailant managed to escape and was still at large as of Thursday.
The NYPD has urged anyone with information about the attacker to come forward and assist in the investigation. Labi and Butt hope that the perpetrator will be apprehended to prevent further attacks on innocent individuals. The shocking incident serves as a reminder of the need for improved mental health services and the importance of community safety.
