The anger of the daughter of a 60-year-old woman who was brutally beaten in a disturbing, recorded-on-camera assault in Harlem is understandable. The daughter expressed her frustration that nobody came to help her mother, who was helpless against her attacker. The police have identified the alleged perpetrator as a 43-year-old man with a criminal record of at least nine previous arrests.
NYPD officials reported that Laurell Reynolds, a 60-year-old Bronx resident, was walking through the West 116 Street and Lenox Avenue station at around 3:30 a.m. on Friday when Norton Blake attacked her with a cane. A two-minute recording of the incident reveals the disturbing nature of the crime.
Lashanne Reese, a resident of the Bronx and daughter of the victim in question, expressed her deep hurt and anguish in an interview with The Post on Tuesday. She shared that the incident could have been fatal for her mother and expressed her disappointment with the lack of action taken to prevent it. “That man could’ve killed my mother… You all did nothing. I have a problem with that,” she said.
According to Reese, who is employed at Crisis Management System/Bronx Community Justice Center, her mother’s assailant deserves to be incarcerated and should never have been allowed to roam freely.
Tears streaming down her face, she pleaded for help. “He shouldn’t be out here on the street,” she exclaimed. “He just assaulted my mother and hit her with a cane. It’s not safe for him or anyone else out here.” Her concern for her loved one was palpable, and her emotions were raw.
During a press conference on Tuesday, Michael Kemper, Chief of Transit for the NYPD, identified Blake as a suspect and mentioned that the police were close to making an arrest.
According to Kemper, the authorities are actively searching for the suspect responsible for the assault on the female victim. He expressed his confidence that the perpetrator would be apprehended and charged soon.
According to Kemper, there was an altercation between the suspect and Reynolds as the victim was ascending the subway station stairs.
According to Kemper, a witness reported seeing the two individuals in a heated argument, possibly over an item that was dropped. It is unclear if the pair were acquainted with each other. Kemper suggested that the argument could have been sparked by the possibility that the male was assisting the female in carrying an object up the steps, which then resulted in the item being dropped, leading to the dispute.
According to sources in law enforcement, Blake has a record of at least nine past arrests for various crimes such as drug possession, assault, trespassing, resisting arrest, tampering with evidence, and possessing stolen property. These arrests date back to 2002.
According to sources, the two instances of assault committed by him were both directed towards police officers. In 2017, he reportedly engaged in a physical altercation with an officer while resisting arrest. Additionally, in 2003, he allegedly punched an off-duty cop in the face.
According to police sources and a criminal complaint, Blake was confronted by officers on March 10, 2017, as he walked into the Nos. 2 and 3 subway station at 135th Street. He had allegedly gone through the exit gate without paying his fare.
According to insiders, he reportedly stated, “I have no intention of leaving.”
According to reports, Blake was confronted by police officers who attempted to arrest him, but he resisted and pushed one of the officers to the ground. As a result of his actions, Blake pleaded guilty to a charge of third-degree assault just five days later and was subsequently sentenced to serve 45 days in prison by the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office.
According to the authorities, Blake was alleged to have punched an off-duty officer in the face while the latter was attempting to assist his on-duty colleagues in September 2003.
According to law enforcement officials, he was arrested in July 2019 for the criminal possession of a controlled substance.
At the time of his arrest, he had given the police an address that was listed as the Manhattan Psychiatric Center. It is uncertain if he was ever admitted as a patient in that facility.
According to sources, Blake was apprehended for criminal trespass in February 2017 and for possessing a damaged MetroCard in January 2015.
According to sources, he was caught tampering with physical evidence in June of 2014 and was also charged with resisting arrest in April of the same year.
In 2007, he was arrested again for a drug-related offence. Additionally, he had a previous record from June 2002 for criminal possession of marijuana.
According to Reese, her mother had left their home in the Bronx to change her clothes and was expected to return for a party that Reese was hosting.
As she sat there waiting, thoughts raced through her mind as to why her mom hadn’t returned. She couldn’t help but feel a sense of worry and concern.
On Tuesday, she exclaimed, “I have gained knowledge now!”
According to Reese, the essence of a community lies in love and care. It is only when we embrace unity and work towards it that we can have a complete community.
She emphasized the need for unity in our community, stating that the reason why such incidents are occurring everywhere is because people are not coming together. “For them not to do that… this is why it’s going on everywhere,” she added.
According to Reese, her mother’s reason for going to Harlem, where she previously resided, was unknown to her.
Despite her attempts to dissuade her mother from taking the train at night, her efforts have been in vain.
Reese pointed out that the person in question was known for being stubborn. “You know how older people can get set in their ways,” she added.
Joe Marino also contributed to this report.
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