NYU Student Attacked by Career Offender James Rizzo: Police

A disturbing incident near New York University's Manhattan campus has left a 20-year-old student shaken. James Rizzo, a 45-year-old career offender with a history of violent crimes and sex offenses, has been charged with assaulting the student. According to the NYPD, Rizzo allegedly approached the student from behind on Monday morning, slapping her head and buttocks, pulling her hair, and knocking her to the ground before fleeing. Surveillance video captured the incident, which the victim, identified as Amelia Lewis, shared on social media. The footage helped police identify and arrest Rizzo the following day. Rizzo, a Level 2 sex offender, has a decades-long criminal record that includes sex offenses, assaults, and burglary. He was released on parole in September after serving a two-year sentence for persistent sexual abuse. At the time of the attack, he was still under supervision. Police sources revealed that Rizzo has been arrested 16 times, with previous charges including sexual abuse, forcible touching, and repeated assaults on women. He was also charged with murder in 1997, although state records show no conviction. The incident has left students and faculty at NYU on high alert. University spokesperson John Beckman stated that the institution 'takes this incident very seriously' and is offering support to the student while assisting investigators. The investigation remains ongoing, with Rizzo facing charges including persistent sexual abuse, forcible touching, assault, and burglary. The community is coming together to support the victim and ensure that such incidents do not recur.