NEW YORK — A 27-year-old man was arrested Friday in connection with the alleged rape of a 12-year-old girl in the stairwell of a Brooklyn public housing building, authorities said. Eric McMichael, who has a history of prior convictions including rape and burglary, was charged with multiple offenses following the incident, which police described as a random attack by a stranger.
The arrest came just one day after the assault, which occurred around 5:45 p.m. Thursday in the Cooper Houses building on Morgan Avenue near Jackson Street in Williamsburg, according to police reports. McMichael allegedly approached the girl as she entered the building, grabbed her, and shoved her to the ground before carrying out the sexual assault, sources familiar with the investigation told the New York Post.
During the encounter, the suspect reportedly told the victim, “I’m going to violate you,” and ordered her to bend over, according to law enforcement sources cited in the Post's reporting. The attack was interrupted when another person entered the stairwell, prompting McMichael to flee the scene, police said.
The young girl was taken to a local hospital and was reported to be in stable condition following the ordeal. Police released photos of the suspect during their manhunt, which led to McMichael's apprehension Friday afternoon at Brooklyn’s Special Victims precinct.
As officers escorted him out of the precinct Friday night, McMichael attempted to shield his face from cameras, hunching forward while wearing a gray plaid shirt, gray shorts, and thick white tights, according to eyewitness accounts and media footage. He faces charges including two counts of rape, burglary, two counts of sexual abuse, and endangering the welfare of a child, officials confirmed.
McMichael's criminal history adds a layer of context to the case. According to police statements reported by NBC News 4, he has four prior convictions, including charges of rape and burglary from 2019. Additionally, he faced grand larceny and robbery charges in 2023, sources said.
The incident has raised concerns about safety in New York City's public housing complexes, where stairwells and common areas can sometimes be vulnerable to such crimes. The Cooper Houses, part of the New York City Housing Authority's portfolio, is located in a bustling Williamsburg neighborhood that has seen both revitalization and persistent challenges with crime in recent years.
While the primary details come from police and sources speaking to the New York Post, no conflicting accounts have emerged from other outlets at this time. The Post's reporting emphasizes the suspect's attempt to avoid cameras, describing him as a "cowardly creep," though official statements from the NYPD focus more on the sequence of events and charges.
“The brute, a complete stranger, told the youngster, ‘I’m going to violate you’ as he shoved her to the ground and ordered her to bend over before carrying out the heinous sexual assault,” sources said, according to the New York Post.
Community leaders in Brooklyn have called for increased security measures in public housing following the attack. While no direct quotes from local officials were available in the immediate reports, similar incidents in the past have prompted discussions about surveillance cameras and better lighting in NYCHA buildings. For instance, a 2022 report from the city's comptroller highlighted ongoing issues with maintenance and safety in public housing, though it did not specifically address this location.
The victim's identity has not been released, in line with standard protocols for protecting minors involved in such cases. Police have not disclosed further details about how they identified McMichael as the suspect, but the release of surveillance images reportedly played a key role in the quick arrest.
In the broader context of sexual assault cases in New York City, statistics from the NYPD show a fluctuating trend in reported rapes over the past few years. According to department data, major crimes in Brooklyn North, which includes Williamsburg, saw a slight uptick in 2024 compared to the previous year, though specific figures for child victims were not immediately available.
McMichael is expected to appear in court for arraignment in the coming days, where prosecutors will outline the evidence against him. Legal experts note that with his prior convictions, he could face enhanced penalties if convicted, potentially including a lengthy prison sentence under New York's repeat offender statutes.
As the case progresses, advocates for child safety are monitoring developments closely. Organizations like the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children often provide resources in such situations, emphasizing the importance of community vigilance and support for victims. While this incident appears isolated, it underscores ongoing efforts to address violence against minors in urban environments.
The arrest brings some measure of closure to a harrowing 24 hours for the victim's family and the Williamsburg community, but questions remain about preventing future attacks. Authorities have not yet commented on any potential motives or additional investigative leads, leaving the focus on the judicial process ahead.