Story of Attack on NYU Female Student Just Got So Much Worse

A New York University female student was attacked on her way to campus by a suspect who we've now learned has more than a dozen prior arrests, including murder, sexual abuse, and more.

As RedState reported, NYU's 20-year-old undergrad Amelia Lewis posted surveillance video of the attack that showed her on the way to class when someone came up behind her, hit her, and then yanked her to the ground. Warning: the video is disturbing and does contain profanity.

NYU student assault pic.twitter.com/LxFhzmiafM
— Amelia Lewis (@AmeliaLewi33832) December 1, 2025

"When I turned around, I saw this old, white guy and, like right when I turned around, he like grabbed my […] hair like this and like yanked me and threw me to the ground," Lewis said.

Amelia credited her best friend with getting the surveillance footage from a nearby liquor store. She sent it to NYU, which then forwarded it to the NYPD. Lewis also claimed that the alleged attacker is suspected of other assaults on young ladies on/around the campus.

The NYPD later reported that 45-year-old homeless man James Rizzo was suspected of the crime and had been arrested. He was charged with assault, persistent sexual abuse, and forcible touching in connection with the incident.

And it turns out this is not the first time. The New York Post reported that Rizzo has a lengthy criminal past, with 16 total prior arrests.

The report read:

Rizzo has 16 prior busts, including for sexual abuse and forcible touching, and even a 1997 murder rap. He was released from state prison in September after being sentenced to two years behind bars on a persistent sexual abuse conviction, online correction records show.

He was released on parole in September and was still on parole when the suspected attack occurred. Other arrests include him being charged with burglary on four separate occasions, ABC 7NY reported.

Suspect arrested in attack on NYU student has lengthy criminal history, including 16 arrests https://t.co/7byXrbz62M pic.twitter.com/Evc7Cd7XTi
— Eyewitness News (@ABC7NY) December 3, 2025

The report noted that Rizzo is a level 2 sex offender and is on New York's sex offender registry.

Investigators also said that they are looking into whether Rizzo is responsible for other attacks on NYU female students, as Lewis mentioned.

SEE: Video: TPUSA Staffers Assaulted on College Campus; Arrested Suspect Is Exactly What You'd Expect

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NYU has released a statement about Rizzo's arrest that reads:

"The University is pleased that a suspect has been apprehended in the attack on one of its students that took place Monday morning on a Broadway sidewalk," NYU spokesperson John Beckman said. "We take this incident very seriously. We are continuing to offer support to the student, and our Campus Safety Department assisted the victim and worked with the police investigating the incident."

Lewis refused to be a silent victim and instead drew attention to what happened to her, making sure it didn't fall through the cracks, and he was arrested.

However, the next obvious question is, what the heck is New York doing, allowing people like this to roam the streets? This makes Rizzo's 17th arrest. And he's clearly dangerous, especially to women. Soft on crime is an epic fail. Do better, New York.

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