A 12‑year‑old girl was sexually assaulted in a stairwell of a public housing building in Brooklyn, and a suspect has now been arrested in connection with the crime. According to authorities, the attack took place at the Cooper Houses complex in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, around 5:45 p.m. when the young victim entered the stairwell of the building.
Police say the suspect, identified as Eric McMichael, 27, approached the girl, made threatening remarks, forced her down and then committed the assault before fleeing the scene when another individual entered the stairwell. The victim was taken to a nearby hospital in stable condition following the incident.
McMichael was arrested the following day by NYPD detectives. He now faces multiple serious charges including rape, burglary, sexual abuse and endangerment of a child. He reportedly has prior convictions, including a 2019 rape and burglary case, and additional charges from 2023 involving grand larceny and robbery.
The NYPD released photos of the suspect during the manhunt and credited public assistance for the arrest. Officials say the community’s vigilance helped lead to his capture. Neighbors and housing‑complex residents expressed shock and concern over the incident, especially given the victim’s young age and the public nature of the space.
Law enforcement leaders emphasised the urgent need for increased safety measures in public housing buildings, particularly in common spaces like stairwells where young residents may be vulnerable. They also urged anyone with information about the case to come forward to support the ongoing investigation.
