A crossing guard who was punched in the face in Darby Borough, Pennsylvania, in a viral video has resigned while police identified the vehicle of the suspect in the attack, NBC10 confirmed on Thursday.
The incident occurred Monday, March 16, around 3:50 p.m. outside Walnut Street Elementary School at the intersection of South 6th and Walnut streets.
Darby Police Chief Joe Gabe said that investigators believe a man became impatient with the guard who had stopped traffic for kids on a bus.
The man apparently blew his horn and revved his engine before storming out of his vehicle and approaching the guard.
Video obtained by NBC10 shows the man running after the crossing guard on the sidewalk. He then briefly stops and stands in front of her. The man then punches the crossing guard in the face, knocking her to the ground, before running off.
Video shows a man punching a crossing guard in the face in Darby Borough, Pennsylvania, Monday afternoon.
“There were children standing right there and he proceeded to assault a woman who was doing her job,” Risa Desilva-King, the CEO of Safe Corridors, the company that employed the crossing guard, told NBC10. “Completely unacceptable. Completely.”
Desilva-King said the crossing guard — who is in her 30s — resigned from her job after the attack. She also said the victim suffered a concussion.
“She did share with me that after the assault, she was knocked unconscious. And so she was laying on the ground for quite a few minutes before she regained consciousness,” Desilva-King said.
Desilva-King said the crossing guard is currently recovering both physically and mentally.
“I can hear the disappointment and the pain in her voice. And just the overall disgust,” Desilva-King said. “And like the question of like, ‘Why me?’ Right? Like, ‘Why did this have to happen to me? I was just doing my job.’ And she’s always done a great job.”
Chief Gabe told NBC10 his department has made significant progress in the investigation and they’ve identified a vehicle they believe the suspect was driving.
Safe Corridors, meanwhile, said they’re in the process of improving safety for their 60 crossing guards across Delaware County. They’re also in the process of getting them long-range walkie-talkies.
“Crossing guards are first responders. I don’t care what nobody else says,” Jonathan Abdur-Rahim King, the founder of Safe Corridors, said. “They are the first one to see your children when they’re leaving school. They are the last one to see your children when they’re departing, going home.”
Darby Borough Police are seeking the public’s help in finding the attacker. Pennsylvania Senator Anthony H. Williams, who represents parts of Delaware County, including Darby, also announced Wednesday that he’s offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the suspect’s arrest and conviction.
“We will not rest until this individual is brought to justice,” Sen. Williams wrote. “The people of Darby will not be intimidated by senseless violence. We stand united in support of our crossing guards and all those who serve our neighborhoods with integrity and care. Anyone with information is urged to contact local law enforcement immediately.”
If you have any information on the man’s identity, email kcollins@darbypd.org.
“Whoever you are, we got you. We will catch you. I don’t know what makes you think it’s OK to do this in Darby Borough,” Darby Borough Mayor Joar Dhan said. “If your behavior is what you’re used to where you’re from, it’s not welcome here.”