The father of a man who attacked a female NYPD officer with a bottle says his son has a history of mental health problems.
The incident happened in The Bronx on Monday, while the New York City Sheriff’s office was conducting a surprise inspection on a smoke shop.
The female officer and her male partner were outside the shop near 231st Street and Broadway when they were approached by Jose Garcia, 45.
Garcia pulled a bottle out of his jeans pocket and struck the officer in the back of the head. He then punched the officer and was immediately tackled by her partner and another officer.
A smoke shop employee, who was filming to make sure cops didn’t tear up the shop, also jumped in to assist.
Rather than use her police skills to subdue the attacker, the frightened female officer ran into the street and was nearly hit by a car.
The NYPD confirmed to Fox News Digital that an “on-duty female police officer” was struck in the head by a bottle and taken to St. Barnabas Hospital with a concussion, a hematoma, blurred vision, and numbness in her hands.
The NYPD said the officer was in stable condition.
Garcia, who has a lengthy criminal history, was charged with attempted aggravated assault on a police officer, second- and third-degree assault and criminal possession of a weapon.
He is being held on $30,000 cash bail or $100,000 bond.
“He’s got a problem. He’s got mental issues,” Garcia’s father told The NY Post during an exclusive interview Tuesday. “He’s my son. He’s crazy,” the elder Jose Garcia, 74, said in Spanish, through a translator.
Shocking Video Shows Suspect Attack NYPD Officer In The Bronx https://t.co/IJN01l2CG2 pic.twitter.com/y6Gdo8kiXQ
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) April 19, 2023
The video sparked online debates about women working in law enforcement. Men argued that women aren’t fit to be in law enforcement because they can’t defend themselves.
“The fact the woman cop just runs away and does absolutely nothing. Almost like they’re unfit to be police,” wrote one Twitter user.
Another person tweeted: “She left her partner without even a backwards glance. I wouldn’t want her as my partner.”
A third person wrote: “Women shouldn’t be cops.”
The fact the woman cop just runs away and does absolutely nothing. Almost like they're unfit to be police…
— Ricky?? (@rick_anthony52) April 19, 2023
She left her partner without even a backwards glance. I wouldn't want her as my partner.
— RED RIDER (@REDRIDE69655454) April 19, 2023
Why did she run out into the street and abandon her partner?
— Pete (@LaVallePeter) April 19, 2023
Women shouldn’t be cops
— Not/Woke (@SnowflakeSizzlr) April 19, 2023
Why promote women to jobs where they expect men to come to their rescue? They're just taking an opportunity away from another man.
— Spunky (@SpunkyBunks) April 19, 2023
Some of you people are just complete idiots. You get blindsided with a bottle, upside the head and see how you react. You dumb asses. She had other officers there that jumped on him instantly.
— Nate (@_Nate_74) April 19, 2023