Emine Yilmaz Ozsoy, a 35-year-old artist and illustrator living in New York, was reportedly left partially paralyzed after a man pushed her against a departing train car. The unprovoked attack happened around 6 a.m. at the Lexington Avenue and 63rd Street station on Manhattan’s Upper East Side on Sunday, May 21. Ozsoy remains in hospital and the 39-year-old suspect, Kamral Semrade, has been charged with attempted murder.
Ozsoy, who lives in Jackson Heights, Queens, was on his way to work in the morning when the incident happened. Ozsoy moved to New York from Turkey in 2017 to pursue a career as a artist and illustrator and worked as a barista on the side. His creations have been presented in points of sale such as Chicago magazine And NPRand she won an American Illustration award in 2021. The artist shares his colourful, almost abstract drawings and paintings on his instagram and on a online shop.
Friends of Ozsoy launched a GoFundMe to cover his growing medical bills, raising nearly $200,000 to date. Emine’s husband, Ferdi Oszoy – her only family in the United States – said in a statement that he is trying to obtain emergency visas so that his relatives can visit him.
“His mobility is expected to be affected which will have a huge impact on his daily life,” Ferdi said of his wife. Doctors initially thought Emine would be paralyzed from the neck down, but she gained movement in her arms.
“But of course faith and hope are endless,” Ferdi said. “She’s young. She’s a strong woman. She’s creative. She’s empathetic. She’s a warrior. She’s a true friend who goes out of her way to help people.
Kamral Semrade was arrested in Queens on Monday and accused with attempted murder and assault. His lawyer said he has no criminal history. by Semrade charge took place on Wednesday and he is being held without bail.
