A 46-year-old man identified as Muslim Brunson has been arrested and charged following two unprovoked attacks in Manhattan’s SoHo neighborhood. Authorities say Brunson, who is homeless and has a long criminal history, assaulted two women using a glass bottle on April 7, 2025. The incident, which occurred in broad daylight, resulted in one woman sustaining critical injuries after being slashed in the neck. The other victim managed to escape without physical harm.
According to the New York Police Department, the attacks occurred around 3 p.m. on Broome Street. Brunson first struck a 29-year-old woman in the back with a bottle. Moments later, he allegedly used the broken shards to slash a 25-year-old woman in the neck. The second victim, later identified as a costume designer named Megan Berg, was transported to Bellevue Hospital for emergency surgery. The NYPD confirmed that she was in critical condition but conscious and alert following treatment on the day of the assault.
Brunson now faces multiple charges, including second-degree attempted murder, second-degree assault, and third-degree criminal possession of a weapon. Law enforcement officials stated that Brunson has a troubling history of violent crimes and repeated mental health episodes. He previously assaulted a female NYPD employee in 2022, resulting in severe facial injuries, and was involved in a 2019 robbery targeting a 13-year-old boy. Brunson was previously enrolled in a court-mandated mental health program but was released in 2023. The New York State Unified Court System provides oversight for such alternative-to-incarceration initiatives.
The attack has renewed criticism over the effectiveness of these mental health diversion programs and their potential risks to public safety. Authorities reported Brunson had been through 36 mental health hearings and had multiple arrests over the past six years. Law enforcement sources emphasized the repeated failures of the system to detain or adequately monitor individuals with violent tendencies. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) has long called for reforms in how mental health and criminal behavior intersect in urban jurisdictions.
Community members expressed concern over public safety in SoHo, a typically upscale area, and called for stronger responses to repeat offenders. The NYPD apprehended Brunson near the scene shortly after the attack. Officials say the investigation remains active, and they are reviewing surveillance footage and other evidence. The NYPD’s official crime statistics continue to highlight incidents involving emotionally disturbed individuals across city boroughs.
