EAST NEW YORK — The first victim of a hammer-wielding attacker who struck at least five people, including a police officer, wants to join the NYPD.
Victor Urena, a 20-year-old junior studying criminal justice at Mercy College, was in Herald Square with friends on Monday when David Baril rushed up to him from behind, pulled out a hammer and hit him, police said.
Urena said his wounds were relatively minor, but the random attack made him even more determined to try to make the streets of New York safer.
"I'd like to be one of those officers that wake up every day thinking, how can I help New York City and how can I be a positive influence on another individual?" Urena said.
"It has actually made me feel like I [want to] become an NYPD officer to... help others not experience the same situation that I experienced."
Monday was Urena's last day of classes and he was in Herald Square with three friends taking pictures before everyone left for summer vacation when Baril, 30, approached.
"'What's up b*****s,' that's all he said... twice," Urena said. "I tried to ignore him because he looked [like he] had some mental issues."
Urena and his friends crossed the street and lost track of the man. Then the next thing Urena knew, Baril was rushing up from behind.
"He came from behind and hit me on the head with a hammer," he said. "He just put the hammer in his bag and started running south [down] Sixth Avenue."
Urena said he was in shock.
"I checked and I had blood all over," he said. "I didn't know what to do so I stood there and waited for the cops and the ambulance to arrive."
Urena was taken to the hospital but didn't need stitches. He said he doesn't hold any ill-will toward Baril, who police say went on to attack three women that day before striking an NYPD officer on West 37th Street at Eighth Avenue Wednesday.
"I would just like him to go through some mental health [programs]," he said.
Baril was shot Wednesday in the arm and torso by the partner of the NYPD officer he was attacking, police said. He was in stable condition at Bellevue Hospital later Wednesday, police said.
Baril was charged with felony assault and criminal possession of a weapon, and was awaiting arraignment Thursday morning.
