MIAMI BEACH, FLA. (WSVN) - Miami Beach Police have released a sketch of a man they believe attacked a mother and daughter at a bus stop earlier this month.
Officials are asking for the public’s help in identifying the man in the sketch who is said to have assaulted the two women while yelling homophobic and ethnic slurs at them on June 1.
Daniella Bonilla, the younger victim, spoke to 7News about the incident on Thursday.
“Emotionally and psychologically, I still really don’t feel very safe in my neighborhood,” she said.
Bonilla said the police sketch is an accurate representation of her attacker.
“These features, for me, I don’t think they could have done a better job in drawing a rendering,” she said.
Bonilla said she and her 59-year-old mother were walking by a bus stop in the area of Collins Avenue and 24th Street when the man sitting on the bus bench began yelling at them.
“He was making comments about my appearance, my body. He calls my mother and I disgusting lesbians, said things that we should do to his body,” she said.
Bonilla said he spit on her and punched her in the chest so hard that it caused a large purple bruise. The victim said her mother was also hurt after the man threw rocks at her.
At the time of the attack, Bonilla said, she and her mother were walking home after grabbing a coffee down the street.
“Nice Saturday stroll, beautiful day,” she said.
Bonilla worked with a police sketch artist to come up with the image, which investigators hope will lead to someone recognizing or identifying the assailant.
If you recognize the subject or have any information on his whereabouts, call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a $1,000 reward.
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