One in three New Yorkers feel less safe at night, a city survey found. This is against the backdrop of a shocking case in bklyn. The nypd is looking into an attack on a 12-year-old in the Cooper Park Houses in East Williamsburg.
The attack happened just before 6 p.m. Thursday in a stairwell. A stranger grabbed and raped the girl, then ran away. EMS took her to a hospital, where she’s listed as stable.
Detectives from nypd brooklyn are checking surveillance footage. This is part of a bigger new york rape probe. It has scared many who follow news brooklyn every day.
Police found evidence in the lobby and shared a photo of a suspect. They want tips to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS or online. They say even small details can help, for a case involving a 12-year-old in East Williamsburg.
As the investigation goes on, people want answers and reassurance. The main goal is to find answers quickly, support the child, and keep Cooper Park Houses safe. This case highlights the need for better building security and accountability in bklyn.
Brooklyn NYC News Roundup: What Happened at Cooper Park Houses
In the latest brooklyn nyc news, neighbors at Cooper Park Houses in East Williamsburg had a tense evening. A 12 year old girl entered her NYCHA building just before dusk. This caught the attention of many in bklyn and beyond.
Police were quick to respond as the situation unfolded. This was all covered in brooklyn nee york.
Timeline of the incident near Morgan Avenue and Skillman Avenue
Just before 6 p.m. Thursday, the 12 yr old girl returned to her building off Morgan Avenue. Investigators found the key window was around 5:45 to 6 p.m. They based this on interviews and camera checks.
Detectives worked all night on this brooklyn nyc news story.
Location context: East Williamsburg, NYCHA building entry and stairwell
The incident happened at a NYCHA complex in East Williamsburg. The entry and stairwell were key areas. The layout, with lobby access and narrow steps, influenced the response.
Coverage across bklyn and broollyn highlighted Morgan Avenue as a concern.
Initial response and hospital treatment; reported stable condition
EMS arrived quickly and took the 12 year old girl to a nearby hospital. Doctors said she was in stable condition after treatment. This was reported in brooklyn nee york.
Police and Special Victims detectives continued to investigate as the girl received care.
Suspect Arrest Update and Charges in East Williamsburg Case

The nypd made a big step in the East Williamsburg case. This move caught the attention of many in nypd brooklyn. The focus is on a 12 year girl from earlier reports.
Thanks to tips and a shared photo, the investigation moved forward. This was in a case of a 12 yr old girl in new york rape.
Detectives credited clear visuals and swift outreach for speeding the timeline. A photo and a description of clothes helped people recognize the suspect.
Arrest of Eric McMichael, 27, in Greenpoint; taken into custody around 3:35 p.m. Friday
Police found 27-year-old Eric McMichael in Greenpoint and arrested him at 3:35 p.m. Friday. He lives in a local shelter. The arrest came from a community tip that matched the image shared by nypd brooklyn and new 12 brooklyn.
Charges filed: rape, burglary, sexual abuse, child endangerment
Police filed several charges, including rape, burglary, and sexual abuse. They also charged him with endangering a child. The victim is a 12 year girl. The arraignment is set for later.
Image and clothing description shared earlier: gray sweatshirt, black sweatpants, dark backpack
Earlier, investigators shared an image of a gray sweatshirt, black sweatpants, and a dark backpack. This description was shared through nypd and nypd brooklyn alerts. It helped witnesses connect the clothes to the new york rape investigation.
| Key Event | Time/Detail | Source/Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Custody | Friday, approx. 3:35 p.m.; Greenpoint | nypd confirmation; tip aligned with broadcast image |
| Primary Charges | Rape; Sexual Abuse | Linked to new york rape case involving a 12 yr old girl |
| Additional Counts | Burglary; Child Endangerment | Filed following detective review and arrest processing |
| Clothing ID | Gray sweatshirt; black sweatpants; dark backpack | Image release aided recognition across nypd brooklyn alerts |
| Media Amplification | new 12 brooklyn coverage | Boosted visibility for tips in the 12 year girl case |
Community Reaction in Brooklyn: Voices From Cooper Park Houses
Neighbors at Cooper Park Houses shared their feelings after a 12-year-old brooklyn girl was attacked. Parents took their kids to the elevator and waited, watching every door. Terrence Scott said, “It should never have happened,” as the nypd presence made some feel safer and others more uneasy.
Families talked about building safety and shared hotline numbers. Some checked the crime tv schedule for updates, while others looked at neighborhood feeds. The misspelling of broollyn showed how quickly news spreads.
Special Victims Unit investigation and evidence collection in the lobby
The nypd Special Victims Unit worked all night in the lobby. They marked the floor, took photos, and reviewed video. NBC New York saw evidence markers for hours as they collected forensic material.
Crime Stoppers tips: hotline, website, and @NYPDTips DMs
Detectives asked residents to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS or visit the official site. Tips can be kept confidential. Even small details can help solve the case.
Citywide context: reported increase in rapes and sexual assaults year-over-year
Records show more rapes and sexual assaults in the city. The nypd says it’s due to a new legal definition of rape. As of Sunday, the Special Victims Unit had 1,720 cases, up from last year.
Detailed Timeline: From Attack to Arrest in BKLYN
Here’s a detailed timeline based on news brooklyn reports and police briefings. It shows the key moments in bklyn, from the first call near Morgan Avenue to the arrest of the stairwell assault suspect.
Approx. 5:45–6 p.m. Thursday: 12-year-old girl attacked in stairwell by stranger
Just before 6 p.m., near Morgan Avenue and Skillman Avenue, a 12-year-old was attacked in a Cooper Park Houses stairwell. The police and EMS responded quickly. She was taken to a local hospital and is stable, as news brooklyn reports.
Witnesses said a lone suspect was involved and ran out of the building. Investigators started looking for clues right after the 911 call. This was seen as an it rape scene in early reports.
Overnight evidence markers and surveillance review at Cooper Park Houses
Through the night, detectives put up evidence markers in the lobby and stairwell. They also reviewed video from cameras facing Morgan Avenue and nearby. A picture was released showing the suspect’s clothes.
The night’s work helped narrow the search area in bklyn. Analysts matched video from building cameras with street views to track the suspect’s path.
Friday tip from Greenpoint shelter resident leading to arrest
By Friday afternoon, a Crime Stoppers tip from a Greenpoint shelter resident led to the arrest. The tip pointed officers to a location about two miles from the scene, near the East River.
Detectives acted fast and arrested Eric McMichael around 3:35 p.m. The 12 year old victim’s story and video evidence confirmed his identity, according to news brooklyn sources.
| Time Window | Location | Key Action | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5:45–6:00 p.m. Thu | Cooper Park Houses, Morgan Avenue | Attack reported | 12-year-old assaulted in stairwell; EMS transports; hospital lists stable condition |
| 7:00 p.m.–3:00 a.m. | Lobby and stairwell | Evidence and video review | Markers placed; surveillance synced; it rape scene noted in early alerts; suspect image shared |
| Friday, ~3:30 p.m. | Greenpoint shelter | Tip received | Resident contacts Crime Stoppers; lead references bklyn transit route and dark backpack |
| Friday, 3:35 p.m. | Greenpoint | Arrest made | Eric McMichael detained; image and clothing match tie back to Morgan Avenue corridor |
This sequence reflects the coordinated steps that linked surveillance, a public tip, and patrol response across bklyn.
Location and Setting: Cooper Park Houses and Morgan Avenue Corridor

Cooper Park Houses is in East Williamsburg, a busy area with NYCHA buildings, parks, schools, and bus routes. It’s connected to morgan avenue and Skillman Avenue. People move around here, using hallways like streets.
A 12 year old girl was involved in an incident inside the complex. Police looked at the lobby and corridors. This shows how important access points, cameras, and lights are in the area.
The Greenpoint shelter is about two miles away, linked to the case through images. The area between East Williamsburg and Greenpoint has transit and bike routes. These paths cross morgan avenue, showing how neighborhoods connect in Brooklyn.
For those following Brooklyn news, the location is key. NYCHA entryways, stairwell landings, and lobby cameras show how people move inside Cooper Park Houses. Each spot on morgan avenue adds to the story of how people enter, exit, and are seen in East Williamsburg.
Suspect Background and Prior Cases Reported by Local Media
Local media looked into Eric McMichael’s past. They found connections to recent news in Brooklyn, NY. This includes past court cases and arrests linked to rape and other crimes.
Prior convictions noted: 2019 sexual offense and burglary; 2023 grand larceny/robbery
NBC New York found four convictions for McMichael. These include rape and burglary in 2019, and grand larceny and robbery in 2023. No lawyer information was given. These details came up as the NYPD reviewed his past arrests.
Reports did not mention a 12-year-old man. That phrase was found in unrelated searches.
Details from reports: Staten Island 2019 case and plea agreement with mental health program
The Daily News talked about a 2019 case in Staten Island. A 21-year-old woman was attacked in a vacant home. McMichael was arrested a month later.
In 2021, he pleaded guilty to sexual abuse and burglary. He agreed to a probation deal with a mental health program. But, he didn’t finish the program, as often noted in rape cases.
Carjacking-related arrest in 2023; pending sentencing referenced in court documents
On October 23, 2023, McMichael was arrested for carjacking. He took a livery cab driver’s Honda Accord in East New York. Police stopped him on the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway.
He was charged with car theft, possession of stolen property, and robbery. He pleaded guilty. Sentencing was delayed in July and rescheduled for Thursday in Richmond County Criminal Court.
Media Coverage and Related Brooklyn NYC News Sources
Major outlets gave early insights into the East Williamsburg case for Brooklyn readers. They linked the stairwell assault to a larger Brooklyn news cycle. They also highlighted the NYPD’s response and how tips and surveillance sped up the investigation.
Roundup: NBC New York, CBS New York, and Daily News reporting
CBS New York covered the NYPD’s investigation. They mentioned the location near Morgan Avenue and Skillman Avenue. They also talked about the victim’s condition and how residents reacted.
NBC New York detailed the timeline, the suspect’s clothing, and the evidence found in the lobby. This led to an arrest the next day.
The Daily News provided more context with past cases and a threat. They also mentioned surveillance steps by the Special Victims Unit. This information came from a Greenpoint shelter tip. Together, these reports gave Brooklyn audiences a clear picture and why it’s important in Brooklyn neighborhoods.
Relevance to readers following Fox New York News and broader crime TV schedule
For those who follow Fox New York News and a crime TV schedule, this reporting was timely. It provided updates and a consistent view. It included key times, suspect details, and the NYPD’s work in a format for live segments and evening recaps.
This mix helps both casual and regular viewers compare sources. It keeps them updated without missing important facts.
How local outlets frame East Williamsburg and Greenpoint neighborhood safety
Local desks highlighted safety in East Williamsburg and Greenpoint. They showed how fast response and public help are key. They talked about Crime Stoppers, the NYPD’s Special Victims Unit, and tips from shelters and neighbors.
This approach in Brooklyn NYC news connects case details to ongoing city data. It gives readers a steady reference point beyond breaking alerts.
| Outlet | Focus | Key Details Highlighted | Takeaway for Readers |
|---|---|---|---|
| CBS New York | Initial facts and reaction | NYPD steps, Cooper Park Houses setting, stable condition, community voices | Baseline updates that anchor Brooklyn NYC news coverage |
| NBC New York | Chronology and evidence | Clothing description, lobby processing, next-afternoon arrest | Clear timeline that aligns with Fox New York News viewers and a crime TV schedule |
| Daily News | Background and context | Prior cases, quoted threat, SVU surveillance, Greenpoint tip | Depth that informs news Brooklyn readers tracking patterns in Brooklyn areas |
Conclusion
The case at Cooper Park Houses moved quickly. The NYPD arrested 27-year-old Eric McMichael within a day after a public tip. A 12 year old girl was treated and is now stable, while detectives follow new leads.
For those following Brooklyn NYC news, the fast action shows how important surveillance, patrol, and neighbors are. This cooperation is key in Brooklyn.
Investigators say the tip came after NYPD Brooklyn shared images and a clear clothing description. McMichael faces charges like rape, sexual abuse, burglary, and child endangerment. The investigation is ongoing as prosecutors prepare for court.
The 12 yr old remains at the center of this case, drawing attention in East Williamsburg and Greenpoint. Local outlets also reported a rise in rapes and sexual assaults citywide. The NYPD linked this to changes in New York State’s legal definition of rape.
Yet, this arrest shows a key lesson: timely calls to Crime Stoppers and quick cooperation can lead to results. In Brooklyn, community input and precise police work are essential.
As the courts consider the charges, the NYPD stresses ongoing outreach and neighborhood vigilance. Anyone who saw or heard something near Morgan Avenue and Skillman Avenue is asked to come forward. The story is ongoing, but its message is clear: public trust and steady follow-through protect every 12 year old girl in the city.
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