Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr., today announced the indictment of DAQUAN ARMSTEAD, 32, for attacking women in a series of unprovoked, anti-female assaults across Manhattan in Spring 2024. ARMSTEAD is charged in a New York State Supreme Court indictment with three counts of Assault in the Third Degree as a Hate Crime, two counts of Attempted Assault in the Third Degree as a Hate Crime, and seven counts of Aggravated Harassment in the Second Degree. He is additionally charged with one count each of Assault in the Third Degree and Attempted Assault in the Third Degree. [1]

“As alleged, Daquan Armstead targeted seven women in a pattern of misogynistic attacks throughout our borough,” said District Attorney Bragg. “Manhattan is no place for discrimination and hatred and we will continue seeking justice for these victims.”

According to court documents and statements made on the record in court, on March 25, 2024, at approximately 10:15 a.m., ARMSTEAD approached a 36-year-old woman near Chrystie Street and Rivington Street. He punched the back of the woman’s shoulder, causing substantial pain.

On April 2, 2024, at approximately 8:13 a.m., ARMSTEAD approached a 28-year-old woman from behind and asked her for money near West 19th Street and 7th Avenue. When the woman refused to give him money, ARMSTEAD punched her in the back of the head, causing substantial pain.

On April 5, 2024, at approximately 12:30 p.m., ARMSTEAD approached a 25-year-old woman near Delancey Street and Essex Street. He punched the woman on the side of the head, causing substantial pain. Approximately five minutes later, ARMSTEAD approached a 44-year-old woman near Delancey Street and Allen Street. He punched her in the face, fracturing her cheekbone and causing a black eye and substantial pain.

On April 17, 2024, at approximately 10:30 a.m., ARMSTEAD approached a 27-year-old woman near Washington Square North and 5th Avenue. He punched the woman in the face, causing a black eye and substantial pain.

On April 22, 2024, ARMSTEAD punched an unidentified woman near Kenmare Street and Cleveland Place. A few moments later, at approximately 1:10 p.m., ARMSTEAD approached a 34-year-old woman and punched her on the side the head, causing substantial pain.

ARMSTEAD was arrested the next day at a shelter in the Bronx.

Assistant D.A. Mark Luciano (Trial Bureau 50) is handling the prosecution of this case, under the supervision of Constantine Coritsidis (Deputy Chief of the Hate Crimes Unit), Hannah Yu (Chief of the Hate Crimes Unit), and Executive D.A. Lisa DelPizzo (Chief of the Trial Division). Hate Crimes Investigative Analysts Gwen Nighswander and Caleb Brown are providing valuable assistance.

D.A. Bragg thanked the NYPD, particularly Detective Redmond Halpern and Detective Howard Kwok of the NYPD Hate Crimes Task Force and Police Officer Ravi Balgobin of the 13th Precinct.

 

Defendant Information:

DAQUAN ARMSTEAD

Bronx, NY

Charged:

• Assault in the Third Degree as a Hate Crime, a class E felony, three counts
• Attempted Assault in the Third Degree as a Hate Crime, a class A misdemeanor, two counts
• Aggravated Harassment in the Second Degree, a class A misdemeanor, seven counts
• Assault in the Third Degree, a class A misdemeanor, one count
• Attempted Assault in the Third Degree, a class B misdemeanor, one count

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[1] The charges contained in the indictment are merely allegations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. All factual recitations are derived from documents filed in court and statements made on the record in court.