Former NY state Senate candidate says she was sucker punched in unprovoked Central Park attack

A former New York state Senate candidate says she was sucker punched by a stranger in Central Park in an unprovoked broad daylight attack Wednesday.

Maria Danzilo, 66, was headed home from her daily walk with her Norfolk terrier, Willow, when a man slugged her in the left arm without saying a word around 2:25 p.m. on the edge of the park near W. 81st St., cops and the victim said.

“A man heading toward me looked like he was about to lunge toward me. I turned a little bit and he punched me. I think he was aiming for my face, but he hit me on my upper arm,” Danzilo told the Daily News. “It was a very big punch. It was not a light punch.”

The man, who Danzilo described as having a “vacant” facial expression, then sauntered toward the park’s Delacorte Theater, she said.

Warmer weather had drawn crowds to the park and Danzilo, concerned he would do the same to others, called 911 and filed a report.

“It’s the middle of the day. This is like some need to hit random women,” Danzilo said of her attacker’s motive. “I don’t think this was a person who cares whether it’s day or night or whatever. He’s just out to hit random people.”

Danzilo described her attacker as a man in his late 20s with a medium build, standing at about 5-foot-10. She noted he was “neatly dressed,” sporting a light green jacket with a gray sweatshirt underneath and black pants, sneakers and over-ear headphones.

Though she refused medical attention at the scene, Danzilo said her arm was bruised and aching Wednesday night.

“I don’t feel good about going back to the park right now. I am feeling a little bit scared. I’m not sure what I’m gonna do. I might try to go with people, walk with a friend until I feel better,” said Danizlo, who unsuccessfully sought office last year.

Danzilo offered a simple message to the slugger who remained on the loose: “You shouldn’t treat women this way. You shouldn’t treat anyone this way. You shouldn’t do this to defenseless people. It’s not right. To hurt people randomly.”