A graphic video shows an NYC man standing outside a restaurant in East Harlem, severely burned after a passerby threw a mysterious substance on his face and neck.
Videos by Wide Open Country
ABC News posted the footage, which shows a man, identified by WABC as Mr. Alcantara, standing outside a New York City restaurant looking at his phone on Sept. 28. A man, reportedly carrying a pot, rushes past Alcantara while dumping a steaming liquid down his back.
The footage shows Alcantara recoiling in pain, smoke rising from his body as the other man, wearing a white hoodie, black coat, and pants, and white sneakers, continues walking, barely breaking his stride.
"I felt a splash of something, and then after I felt the splash... a complete burn," Alcantara recalled to WABC over the phone. "It just turned black, and it ate through the hoodie."
The incident reportedly left Alcantara with severe burns down his neck, on his face, and on his left ear.
"I have black areas on my skin, and then there's certain areas that are white and certain areas that are pink. And I also have blisters in certain areas as well," he told the outlet.
Eyewitness to Man Severely Burned Outside NYC Restaurant Says Horrific Incident Left Him "Traumatized"
Directly following the random act of violence, Alcantara stumbled into the restaurant, Cravin Crispy, screaming for help.
Oscar Perez was behind the counter at the restaurant that night, admitting that seeing Alcantara's severe burns was traumatic.
"I was scared. I was traumatized for my life," Perez told WABC.
Perez also recalled seeing the man carrying the pot full of the mysterious, steaming liquid.
"It looked hot. It was bubbling; it was smoking. Only God knows what it was," he speculated. Perez added that he never dreamed the man would throw the pot's contents on anyone.
The mysterious substance reportedly left black stains on the sidewalk and may leave permanent scars on Alcantara. The victim told WABC he didn't understand exactly what had happened until he'd seen the footage, which left him with more questions.
"Obviously, at first it was terrifying," he recalled feeling. "All I wanted to know is why?"
Alcantara also told the outlet that doctors told him to thank his lucky stars the substance didn't reach his eyes, as it surely would have blinded him. He added that he hopes the man doesn't try the disgusting stunt again.
Alcantara will reportedly have to undergo skin grafts to repair the damage to his face, neck, and ear.
