83-year-old Brownsville woman attacked while on her way to church, homeless man charged
Shawnee Moore, 36, is charged with assault, criminal possession of a weapon and endangering the welfare of a vulnerable elderly person.
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An 83-year-old Brooklyn woman is recovering after she was slashed in the head while on her way to church.
Betty Ellerbe told News 12 that the attack happened around 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, as she waited for her cab near Christopher and Pitkin avenues in Brownsville.
“The fella rounded the corner from Pitkin Avenue, and I said hello to him,” said Ellerbe.
The victim said she often sees the man near her apartment building, and he is usually talking to himself.
“[I have] no conversation [with him],” said Ellerbe. “I would say hello and keep walking because I don’t know the fella.”
Ellerbe said the man hit her twice in the back of her head while holding a large stick and a knife.
“I wanted to ask him why he did that, but I didn’t say [anything] to him because I saw he had a knife, too,” said Ellerbe. “If I had said it, he probably would’ve attacked me more.”
Ellerbe showed News 12 the stitches and bruise she received on the right side of her neck. She also showed the white, three-piece suit she was wearing, which now has blood stains on it.
Shawnee Moore, 36, is charged with assault, criminal possession of a weapon and endangering the welfare of a vulnerable elderly person.
Investigators said Moore is homeless and has a lengthy criminal history.
“I don’t know what happened to my eyeglasses,” said Ellerbe. “When he hit me, my eyeglasses came off.”
Ellerbe does not have her glasses, but she still has her faith.
“They always say, ‘Keep the faith and keep going,’” said Ellerbe. “That’s what I’ll be doing, keeping my faith and keep going.”
Moore was arraigned before a judge on Tuesday night. He’s being held on a $10,000 cash bail or $25,000 bond.
