Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg Jr. today announced the indictment of CYRIL DESTIN, 61, for stabbing a woman in the chest in Times Square in May 2024. DESTIN is charged in a New York State Supreme Court indictment with one count of Attempted Assault in the First Degree, one count of Assault in the Second Degree and one count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Fourth Degree. [1] 

“When tourists visit New York, they deserve to enjoy our city without fearing for their safety. Cyril Destin jeopardized that by allegedly stabbing a woman who was visiting with her daughter and her daughter’s friend for a school trip,” said District Attorney Bragg. “I hope the victim continues to heal from this unprovoked attack.” 

According to court documents and statements made on the record in court, on May 11, 2024, at approximately 6:10 p.m., DESTIN, who was sitting on his walker outside of a bodega in Times Square, removed a large kitchen knife as a woman walked by him. As she passed, DESTIN lunged towards her with the knife and stabbed her in the chest. Afterwards, DESTIN sat back down on his walker while continuing to hold the knife. 

The woman was transported to Bellevue hospital where she was treated for a stab wound to the chest. 

Assistant D.A. Elizabeth Russo (Trial Bureau 80) is handling the prosecution of this case under the supervision of Deputy Bureau Chief Tricia Phillips (Trial Bureau 80), Deputy Bureau Chief Daniel Makofsky (Trial Bureau 80), Bureau Chief Siobhan Carty (Trial Bureau 80) and Executive Assistant D.A. Lisa DelPizzo (Chief of the Trial Division). 

D.A. Bragg thanked the NYPD, particularly Police Officers Md Islam and Edwin Garcia of the Patrol Borough Manhattan South Precinct. 

Defendant Information: 

CYRIL DESTIN 

New York, NY 

Charged: 

• An Attempt to Commit the Crime of Assault in the First Degree, a class C felony, one count
• Assault in the Second Degree, a class D felony, one count
• Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Fourth Degree, a class A 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.