By Madina Toure
State Assemblyman Ron Kim (D-Flushing) has set up a special fund for a 16-year-old exchange student from China who was slashed by a “crazed attacker” while she was heading to school in Whitestone Wednesday morning.
At about 8:15 a.m., an unknown male suspect approached the girl, who was on her way to the Whitestone Academy at 150-34 12th Ave., from behind and slashed her with a box cutter, cutting her left cheek and throat, according to the police.
She was taken to the Long Island Jewish Medical Center, according to Kim, who visited her at the hospital.
He said his office would work directly with the victim to help her with various expenses such as traveling costs and possible surgery to cover her scars and that his office will notify the public once the fund is properly structured.
“The victim’s family and friends have asked me to express to the community-at-large their gratitude for all the support,” Kim said in a statement. “For now, the family wants to protect the victim’s privacy and identity, as she is traumatized by the whole experience. The family has also asked me to spread the word and help catch the attacker by sharing any relevant information with the NYPD.”
A police spokesman said the girl received treatment at Cohen Children’s Hospital.
Kim said she has been attending Whitestone Academy for three months and is currently staying with a Chinese-American host family that lives near the school.
She is here on a permanent basis on a student visa, with plans to pursue her high school and college education in the United States, Kim said.
The assemblyman also said her uncle was living nearby and that her mother was in the country with her just a few months ago.
The suspect, who was wearing white gloves and a white mask covering his face, was described as 6-foot-2 tall, wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt with a black stripe on the back and sleeves, black sweatpants, light socks and black sneakers, the spokesman said.
The boxcutter was recovered at the scene and the investigation was ongoing, the spokesman said.
Reach reporter Madina Toure by e-mail at mtour
