TikTok (@halleykate) / Facebook (Skiboky Stora), Cropped by Resist the Mainstream

The man accused of randomly punching multiple women in downtown Manhattan has been identified as a perennial fringe political candidate and purported scion of a prominent civil rights lineage.

Skiboky Stora, a 40-year-old from East New York, finds himself under arrest and facing assault charges after a reported incident involving TikTok influencer Halley Kate.

The New York Police Department identified Stora as the assailant in a seemingly unprovoked attack that took place in Chelsea, where Kate was punched in the face as she navigated the city streets.

This occurrence, detailed by the influencer to her 1.1 million TikTok followers, sparked widespread attention, amassing over 41 million views. The video catalyzed a series of reports from several other women, who shared their own experiences of being randomly assaulted in Manhattan.

Stora, a recurrent candidate in various local elections, including attempts at mayor, governor, and City Council within the last three years, was apprehended on Wednesday. His arrest came as he was due in Manhattan court for an unrelated prior arrest.

Known in the music industry as Designer Attitude, Stora's aspirations extend beyond his political ambitions to his endeavors as a performing artist.

Stora's political record includes a recent unsuccessful bid for District 9's City Council seat, where he lost to Democrat Yusef Salaam. His political career also features a stint as a Republican gubernatorial candidate in 2022, though he was eventually withdrawn or disqualified, and a mayoral debate appearance in 2021 under the Out Lawbreaker Party ticket. In this debate, Stora shared his personal experiences of being shot in a homeless shelter in 2005, criticizing city safety and calling for accountability.

Claiming to be the great-great-grandson of Marcus Garvey, Stora garnered 264 votes in the general election, significantly trailing behind Democrat Eric Adams. His controversial stance and actions, culminating in the recent assault charge, add a complex chapter to Stora's public life, intertwining his political, musical, and now criminal narratives.