Tiktoker Halley Kate McGookin says he can still feel his head injury nearly two years after he was allegedly beaten by a man on the streets of New York City.
McGookin, 25, appeared at the trial in Manhattan Supreme Court Stora ski book on Tuesday, February 3, where he claimed he was going to record a podcast in March 2024 when he was punched by a stranger, according to the New York Post. She further stated that she was so caught off guard by the alleged assault that she even apologized to her attacker.
“He was yelling at me, using a lot of profanity, saying it was my fault,” McGookin said, according to the outlet.
McGookin claimed she can still feel pain in her hairline where she was allegedly hit.
“I really couldn’t touch anywhere near this place,” he continued. “I couldn’t really brush my head because it was so painful and tender. I can still feel it in my hairline where they hit me.”
Influencer Kindra Hall had a terrifying encounter while in New York City. “Wednesday May 14th around 10:30am I was punched in the head by a stranger,” the 44-year-old author wrote via Instagram on Tuesday, May 22nd. “I wasn’t going to post this as a reel…but there is a (…)
Stora, 42, is charged with three counts of third-degree hate-crime assault, one count of hate-crime stalking and second-degree aggravated stalking in connection with several alleged random attacks in New York, including an incident where he allegedly attacked a Jewish couple and yelled, “Die, you Jews!
“Skiboky Stora allegedly committed a series of hate-motivated incidents against various individuals based on their perceived gender, race and religion,” the district attorney said. Alvin L. Bragg, Jr. in May 2024, according to ABC News. “Much of what defines our city is respect and acceptance of all people. No one should fear for their safety because of their identity. I thank our prosecutors for their unwavering commitment to seeking justice for these victims.”
Stora was arrested two days after the alleged attack on McGookin, following an investigation by the NYPD’s Hate Crimes Task Force and the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office.
McGookin, who did not directly identify Stora as her attacker, posted a video on TikTok about the alleged assault shortly after claiming it happened.
“Guys, I was literally walking, and a man came up and punched me in the face. Oh my god, it was so bad. I can’t even talk,” McGookin said in the video, which went viral and prompted several TikTok users to come forward with accounts of alleged similar incidents.
Stora, a self-proclaimed rapper, appeared in court wearing a tie with his name on it. He is representing himself at trial and is reportedly ignoring the advice of legal counsel, according to the NY Post.
Stora asked McGookin a series of unusual questions in court, including one about allegedly being the target of a federal investigation and another about a “TikTok trend where people said they got hit, they got punched, too.”
The questions were closed by Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Josh Hanshaft.
Stora’s trial will resume on Wednesday, February 4.
Before her court appearance on Tuesday, McGookin, who has 1.6 million followers on TikTok at press time, took to Instagram to share a video of herself walking down the sidewalk to “Phantom of the Opera.”
“What’s playing in my head as I’m walking to court to testify against the man who hit me in the head two years ago,” she wrote of the clip.
McGookin added in the caption: “Hit the wrong girl, let me tell you.”