KEY POINTS

  • Judge Phyllis Chu of the New York City Criminal Court was punched in the jaw
  • She was taken to the hospital with a swollen lip and was released later
  • The police searched the area but could not find the suspect

A New York City judge was allegedly punched by a man on a bicycle as she was walking to work Monday.

The unidentified cyclist punched Judge Phyllis Chu of the New York City Criminal Court while she was walking from the Staten Island Ferry terminal to the courthouse Monday morning, according to the court and police sources.

"With no words exchanged, a bicyclist riding in the opposite direction as the one she was walking in just punched her in the face and kept going," Lucian Chalfen, a spokesperson for the city’s Office of Court Administration, told the New York Post. "It was totally unprovoked."

Chu immediately informed the cops who searched the area but failed to locate the suspect. The man was wearing a blue and green shirt and was riding a Citi Bike.

"The individual who may have been emotionally disturbed was nowhere to be found," Chalfen said, adding the attack occurred "in broad daylight."

The 56-year-old was punched in the jaw and suffered a swollen lip. She refused medical attention at the scene and went to work. Chu was later taken to the hospital after she told her colleagues about the incident.

She was doing well and was released in the afternoon, according to the spokesperson for the court.

The suspect's motive behind the act is unclear at the moment. The authorities have initiated an investigation to locate the man. It is also unclear if Chu was targeted for her association with any of her cases.

According to her bio, Chu worked 23 years at the Kings County District Attorney's Office before being appointed as City Judge in December 2016. She worked as the senior assistant district attorney in the DA's office's homicide bureau.

Chu’s recent court cases have included that of Cuba Gooding Jr., who allegedly sexually assaulted around 30 women, CNN reported.

Gooding’s next appearance is expected Tuesday. However, it is unclear if Chu would be chairing.

This is an ongoing investigation and no further details were revealed at the moment.

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