A homeless man with a history of arrests, including assault and arson, attacked two boys selling candy at a Manhattan train station in a botched robbery. The two boys, aged 11 and 16, were selling sweets when the man, Alvin Doris, attempted to steal money from the younger boy and then grabbed the teenager’s cell phone. When the teen tried to retrieve his phone, Doris violently assaulted him, punching him multiple times in the face. He then threw the teen’s phone to the ground and hit the 11-year-old in the face, causing a fracture in his nose.
Alvin Doris, 62, has a lengthy rap sheet with nine prior arrests dating back to 1994, many of them concentrated around Lower Manhattan. He has been previously arrested for assault on four separate occasions and was also charged with arson for intentionally damaging a Lower Manhattan building. One of his earlier assaults was in 2012 when he punched a 26-year-old woman in the face at Bowery and Prince Street. Doris’s last known address was at the Bowery Mission, a Lower Manhattan homeless shelter.
After the incident at the train station, Doris was arrested and charged with robbery, acting in a manner injurious to a child, assault, and criminal mischief. He was taken into custody and was awaiting arraignment at Manhattan Criminal Court. The brutal attack on the two boys selling candy showcases the dangers faced by street vendors, especially children, in New York City. The incident also raises questions about the safety of public spaces and the support available for homeless individuals with a history of violent behavior.
The attack by Alvin Doris highlights the need for better support and interventions for homeless individuals with a history of violence. The repeated arrests and violent behavior of Doris indicate a pattern of criminal activity that poses a threat to public safety. The incident also underscores the vulnerability of children and teenagers engaged in street vending activities. Authorities and social service agencies may need to take a closer look at how to address the complex needs of individuals like Doris to prevent future incidents of violence.
The case of Alvin Doris underscores the challenges faced by homeless individuals with criminal histories and the importance of providing appropriate interventions to address their needs. The incident also sheds light on the risks faced by street vendors, particularly children, in urban environments. The criminal justice system, social service agencies, and homeless shelters may need to work together to ensure the safety of both homeless individuals and the community at large. Efforts to address homelessness and support individuals with criminal backgrounds could help prevent similar incidents in the future.
