A security guard was slashed in the neck outside a SoHo streetwear store Friday morning. Police said the attacker had tried to cut a long line.
The 30-year-old guard was working outside Palace Skateboard Apparel on Howard Street near Mercer Street just after 11 a.m., according to law enforcement sources. Shoppers had lined up outside the store for a spring product launch.
Police said a man attempted to jump the line and was confronted by the guard. Authorities said the man then cut the guard on the neck and fled.
The victim was taken to Bellevue Hospital and is expected to survive, police said.
Where did the palace skateboards SoHo slashing happen?
The attack happened outside Palace Skateboard Apparel on Howard Street near Mercer Street in SoHo. Police identified the victim as a security guard stationed outside the entrance.
The store sits in a corridor that draws heavy foot traffic on release days, when buyers line up for limited drops. The line had formed by late morning, according to law enforcement sources.
Violence in crowded retail settings has forced some downtown businesses to rethink release-day security. A separate recent incident, Runaway Cab Hits Two Women on Lower East Side, also drew questions about street safety around busy sidewalks.
What did NYPD say about the suspect and the getaway car?
Police said the suspect was last seen wearing a black hoodie, black sweatpants, and a black hat. NYPD said he fled the scene in a Honda.
No arrests were immediately made Friday, according to police. Investigators did not release a license plate number or direction of travel.
The NYPD asks witnesses and anyone with video to report information through NYPD contact options. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers at nyc.gov/nypd.
Why was there a long line outside the store?
The attack came as the Manhattan outpost of the London-based streetwear and skateboard brand held its spring product launch. The company’s shops in Europe and Canada also scheduled launches for Friday.
Palace’s stores in Asia, Australia, and New Zealand planned events for Saturday, according to information released by the brand. The company describes its products as brightly colored, inspired by ’90s aesthetics, and detailed with sportswear elements.
SoHo has become a magnet for drop-day retail that can turn sidewalks into queues. Nearby openings and limited-release concepts, including Dean’s Brings a No-Reservations British Seafood Pub to SoHo, have also tested how businesses manage lines and crowding.
What we know about the victim’s condition
The 30-year-old victim was transported to Bellevue Hospital, where he is expected to survive his injury, police said. Authorities did not disclose the severity of the wound or whether the guard required surgery.
Police did not release the victim’s name Friday afternoon. Investigators also did not specify the type of cutting instrument used in the attack.
The guard was taken to Bellevue Hospital, where he is expected to survive his injury.
What happens next in the investigation
Detectives continued to look for surveillance footage from nearby storefronts and street cameras along Howard and Mercer. SoHo blocks with high-end retail often have multiple private cameras aimed at entrances and sidewalks.
For residents and shoppers tracking downtown incidents and weekend plans, the area’s calendar remains packed. Listings for Chelsea and Downtown events run March 19 to March 25 include several street-level happenings that draw crowds.
Police said the suspect remained at large as of Friday. Anyone with information was asked to contact NYPD as the investigation continued.
