A Department of Education worker shoveling snow outside an East Harlem elementary school needed four stitches in his face after three suspects slashed him and ran off early Wednesday, according to officials.
The 43-year-old worker was shoveling snow off the sidewalk outside P.S. 102 shortly before 4 a.m., authorities said. Three teens walked up to him and asked for the time, then struck him with an unknown object.
The attackers then ran away.
The worker, identified by a gym teacher at the school as "Eddie," was taken to Mt. Sinai Hospital, where he was treated for lacerations and is listed in stable condition.
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"I don't know why this happened to him," said the teacher, Stephen Sloan. "It's a sad thing to happen to a very good person."
Sloan said Eddie worked at the school for years. Parents were upset to hear he was attacked so violently.
"He came out here to make sure the sidewalk was clean for the kids, and they did that to him." said Maria Diaz.
City public schools remained open Wednesday after nearly a foot of snow fell in Central Park.
Rob Schmitt contributed to this report.
