Hammer Attacker Arrested In 2013 For Assaulting Officer In Riverside Park

Manhattan

By Geoffrey Croft

The mentally ill man shot last week wanted for several hammer attacks has several park-related arrests including one in 2013 for assaulting a police officer in Riverside Park, NYC Park Advocates has learned.

David Baril, 30, was arrested after he assaulted a police officer trying to issue him a summons for being in Riverside Park after dark.

He attacked the officer with sharp object, according to police. 

In 2008 he was arrested inside a Bronx Park after he was found to be in possession of a stun gun. 

Police believe he may have been homeless, living in parks and subways since January after he voluntarily left the mental health facility in upper Manhattan. Baril doesn't appear to have had a fixed address since.

Baril has eight prior arrests most in the Bronx where he lived.  Other arrests for assault, cocaine possession and turnstile jumping.

Baril was shot in midtown Manhattan Wednesday morning while attacking a female police officer.

Two eagle-eyed officers on patrol spotted the suspect and began following him when suddenly he pulled out a hammer and violently attacked the female officer. 

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