New York, US: A routine summer afternoon on the famed Coney Island Boardwalk turned into a scene of horror yesterday when an unlicensed vendor allegedly slit a woman’s arm with a knife during a heated dispute. The shocking incident has renewed calls for stricter enforcement along the beachfront thoroughfare, where illegal vendors have long skirted regulations.
Sudden Violence Amid Summer Crowds
At approximately 3:15 PM on Friday, beachgoers strolling between West 10th and West 12th Streets witnessed a sudden confrontation. According to eyewitnesses, the 34-year-old victim, identified only as a local Brooklyn resident, confronted the vendor after he refused to return payment when an ice cream promise fell through. What began as a verbal spat rapidly escalated when the vendor brandished a folding knife and slashed the woman across her forearm.
“I heard her scream, saw blood on the boardwalk—it was horrifying,” said Marisol Cortez, a tourist from New Jersey. “People were running, calling for help. He just took out that blade like it was nothing.”
Immediate First Aid and Arrest
Nearby lifeguards and bystanders rushed to aid the victim, applying pressure to the wound with beach towels until emergency services arrived. The victim was conscious but in shock when medics transported her to Coney Island Hospital, where she received stitches for a laceration described as non-life-threatening.
Within minutes, NYPD officers on patrol detained the vendor, later identified as 28-year-old Ramon Soto of Queens. Soto was placed in handcuffs and charged with assault with a deadly weapon. Police report the knife was recovered at the scene.
Growing Concern Over Illegal Vendors
The boardwalk has long been a magnet for unlicensed sellers hawking everything from souvenirs and snacks to illicit goods. While the city issues permits for certain pushcart vendors, many operate without oversight, raising safety and sanitation issues. The violent outburst has intensified community demands for the city to crack down on unauthorized commerce…