Florida metro rider punches female traveler's face 20 times, breaks her ribs in unprovoked attack caught on camera
MIAMI DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA: A lone female Miami metro rider took a vicious beating at the hands of a male traveler in a bizarre, unprovoked attack that was caught on camera.
25-year-old Joshua James King allegedly brutally beat up Andrea Puerta, 29, during the horrific September 4 incident. The savage attack left Puerta with a concussion, a broken rib, and bruising, The Sun reported.
King is seen in surveillance footage walking onto the metro before he launches a sustained attack on Puerta. The disturbing clip shows the attacker kicking the victim, slamming her heard, and punching her more than 20 times.
"I remember that I closed my hands and I said, 'stop, stop'. He did not stop," Puerta told Local 10. "There was a moment when he said, "Sorry" and I looked at him and he punched me and after that, I don’t know what happened."
"I’ve never seen him in my life. I never know him until that moment," she said of King.
The 29-year-old rider had almost passed out from the beating, but somehow managed to get up and leave the train before calling 911. Footage shows how her attacker remained on the metro. According to the report, King allegedly assaulted two more men later that day.
King was apprehended shortly after and is now facing three counts of aggravated battery charges. Authorities released him from custody September 10 on a $1,500 bond, and he is now scheduled to appear in court on Friday.
Heartbreaking photos show the extent of Puerta's injuries as a result of the attack. She has a black eye and a swollen jaw. "I have a lot of marks on my body,” she further told WSVN. “I don’t know how I’m alive.”
Family members have set up a GoFundMe campaign to help pay for Puerta's medical bills, legal bills, as well as therapeutic needs.
"Andrea Puerta was attacked, without provocation, by a stranger in the metro mover in Miami. The man beat her over and over, breaking her ribs, blacking her eye, and giving her a concussion before beating her nearly unconscious," the page reads. "This is to help her pay for her medical needs, legal help, and therapy bills. Anything you can give would be of great help. We really appreciate your help in her time of need."
The distressing minute-long clip reportedly begins with the man -- now identified as King -- onboarding the locomotive, before walking off the frame and then re-appearing. Without provocation, he begins raining punches on Puerta, before pushing her across the car and smashing her face onto a chair.
The father-of-one was reportedly arrested later that day. He is now facing three counts of aggravated battery charges.
"Thank you all for your generosity!! We are doing great with this initiative... Andrea is very touched and hopeful with this help!!" GoFundMe organizer Adela Manotas shared in an update after the campaign crossed its $8,500 goal.
Puerta, who was rushed to the hospital for her injuries, and since been discharged. While she is still recuperating, the 29-year-old is hoping that justice will be meted out.
“I’m not sad. I’ll get so strong that I’m not going to accept that he does this to any person anymore,” she told 7News.