GS Student Assaulted at Local Duane Reade

Leilani Nicole Adams, GS, was assaulted yesterday at a local Duane Reade.

At the pharmacy on Broadway at 111th Street, Ana Cotto, 31, was berating a male patron for not apologizing to her son, who tripped over the male patron’s foot. The male patron offered an apology, but Cotto continued to yell. Adams observed the spectacle before telling Cotto, “You should be worrying about your son, instead of berating the other customer, because he’s been running around all over the store.”

Cotto then directed her verbal tirade against Adams, telling her to mind her own business. “I wasn’t talking to you,” Cotto said.

The two exchanged heated words before Cotto launched herself onto Adams, hitting her in the face and on the arms. Adams attempted to ward off the blows to no avail. Cotto pulled Adams’ hair and punched her in the neck. Soon after the attack began, a nearby stock clerk jumped in and tried to pull Cotto off Adams.

“I’m still confused,” said Carmen Gonzales, a pharmacy clerk who was attending to Adams’ prescription when she was attacked. “I was scared for my own safety. I understand it’s her kid, but she shouldn’t have taken it that far.”

Police were called to the scene and located Cotto at the nearby shelter in which she lives. She was arrested, and her child was taken from her care. She will remain in police custody until her arraignment.

“I have a swollen eye, but I’m starting to feel better,” Adams said.

Adams asked to view the surveillance tape before the ambulance arrived and said she would later ask the manager—who was not in the store—to procure the footage as evidence. “I’m going to pursue this,” she said. “I want to know how liable the store is, letting her do that and then just leave.”

Sana Saleh can be reached at Sana.Saleh@columbiaspectator.com.