Authorities in Broward County are continuing their search for the woman who violently assaulted a 70-year-old bus passenger in Lauderdale Lakes, Florida, last month. The Broward County Sheriff’s Office has released surveillance footage of the incident and is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.
The attack occurred on October 21 aboard a Broward County Transit bus. Video released by investigators shows an elderly woman seated in the ADA section and a female suspect standing nearby. Detectives say the suspect repeatedly bumped into the victim as the bus moved. When the older woman asked for more space, a verbal confrontation began.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, the situation escalated quickly. The suspect intentionally shoved her body into the seated woman several times before striking her in the face with a grocery bag. The victim attempted to defend herself with her cane, but the attacker jumped on top of her and punched her multiple times in the head.
Bystanders intervened and pulled the suspect away. The bus driver stopped the vehicle near the 4100 block of West Oakland Park Boulevard, where the suspect and another woman who was with her fled the scene. The victim sustained bruising to her forehead but declined medical transport.
“This is something that should never happen; it should not happen in any type of civilized society. What this woman did is absolutely unacceptable,” said Broward Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Carey Codd, according to CBS.
The Broward County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help in identifying the attacker and the woman who accompanied her. Anyone with information is urged to contact BSO Violent Crimes Unit Detective Andres Lopez at 954-321-4915 or submit a tip through the SaferWatch app. Anonymous tips can be provided to Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS (8477), online at browardcrimestoppers.org, or by dialing **TIPS (8477) from any cellphone in the U.S. Tips that lead to an arrest may qualify for a reward of up to $5,000.