Police: Attack on woman walking Mattapan bike path was random

BOSTON — Police are searching for a man who allegedly assaulted a Dorchester woman on a bike path in Mattapan.

According to Mass. State Police, a 46-year-old woman was walking the bike path next to the Ryan Playground on River Street in Mattapan around 2 p.m. Tuesday when she was physically assaulted.

The woman suffered cuts and bruises and was taken to Beth Israel Hospital.

Police say the suspect is a young adult black male in his 20s who was wearing a navy jogging suit. He was described as around 5-foot-10 with black hair roughly three inches high.

Police say the suspect ran out the bike path through the Ryan Playground parking lot and towards River Street.

Residents nearby and people who frequent the bike path were amazed that no one was around to stop the broad daylight attack.

"A lot of people do bike in these hours, it gets busy going back-and-forth," said Fancy Fields.

"It's pretty quiet, there's normally kids in the park and things," said Maureen Swan.

"Hopefully it's an isolated incident," Swan said. "It's been a quiet neighborhood for the most part. It's never felt unsafe, I've been here a long time."

Police say they believe the attack was random.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police.

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