Gothamist

A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.

Gothamist

WNYC Listen Live

Donate

 

 

News

Razor-Wielding Man Attacks 70-Year-Old At Harlem Pathmark


By

Ben Yakas

Published Jun 12, 2011

Modified Jun 12, 2011


Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail


Never miss a story

 Email address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .


By

Ben Yakas

Published Jun 12, 2011

Modified Jun 12, 2011


Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail


We rely on your support to make local news available to all

Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

A razor-wielding man attacked a fellow customer at a Pathmark in Harlem yesterday morning, and in a strange twist, it was allegedly because the attacker had stepped on the victim's foot. Abdullah Mohammed, 51, was arrested and charged with assault in the first degree for stabbing William Perry, 70, in the neck with a knife after an argument at the customer service desk escalated into an assault in the meat aisle. "People ran out of the store. One guy was screaming, ‘Oh my God, I’ve never seen anything like this,’" said witness Rafael Feliciano.

According to Perry's brother, Perry was at the service desk buying Lotto tickets when Mohammed stepped on his foot, provoking an argument. Mohammed, whom the Post notes was wearing a "peach linen suit," was kicked out of the store, but he soon returned to angrily confront Perry in the meat aisle. Mohammed slashed Perry in the neck with the weapon, and kicked him twice in the head, but was subdued by an employee who jumped on him before he could escape. According to Feliciano, Mohammed was dragged out of the supermarket screaming "at everyone around him."

Perry was taken to Harlem Hospital, and is expected to live. His brother Charles sounded like he was ready for round two, calling Mohammed "a coward [who] didn’t fight fair."

Tagged

abdullah mohammed

arrest

attack

harlem

Pathmark

razor


Ben Yakas

Ben Yakas is a former Gothamist reporter.

Read more

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


MORE news

Chinatown residents file lawsuit against after-hours construction on new 'mega jail'

Residents cite sleep disruption and dust-induced illness from nearly ‘round the clock’ construction.

By

Arya Sundaram

Published Oct 24, 2026 at 5:25 p.m. ET


Peepapalooza: NYC is heading to the Hudson Valley to watch the leaves

Don't be surprised if you run into someone from your building in Beacon.

By

Elizabeth Shwe

and

Sean Carlson

News

Peepapalooza: NYC is heading to the Hudson Valley to watch the leaves

Don't be surprised if you run into someone from your building in Beacon.

By

Elizabeth Shwe

and

Sean Carlson


NYPD: Officer shot, injured knife-wielding woman during ‘chaotic’ night at Queens home

By

Ryan Kost

3 slates vying to run Jersey City school board as city stares down major tax hikes

By

Michael Sol Warren

5 men charged with trespassing in 2 Manhattan manhole cases

By

Charles Lane


Never miss a story

Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.

Sign upEmail address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .