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Officers were called to Church Square Park around 12:30 p.m. where a man later identified Troy Timberlake had been cursing at children and elderly people, Hoboken City spokeswoman Marci Rubin.
Timberlake then began hitting people, including a woman identified by a local family on a GoFundMe campaign as "B."
"A deranged man assaulted her in broad daylight in front of many people and kids," the campaign reads. "He apparently was tormenting others in the park and then decided to target B and hit her to the ground. Many good people ran over to help fight him off (if you were one of them, I would love to know!)."
Police say Timberlake spit on B, who turned to address him when he punched her and then followed her out of the park. Timberlake punched B multiple times, knocking her unconscious, Rubi said.
He then approached another victim, hitting him on the back of his head, near a playground in the park. Witnesses and officers believed by doing this, Timberlake put multiple children in danger, Rubin said.
Hoboken EMS/Volunteer Ambulance Corps arrived to treat victims, including B, who was hospitalized.
Timberlake was transported to Hoboken Police Headquarters where he continued to yell, scream, and act aggressively, Rubin said. He refused to allow officers to fingerprint and photograph him and was charged with aggravated assault, endangering an injured victim, child cruelty, and refusal to submit fingerprinting.
He was ultimately transported to the Hudson County Correctional Facility.
Meanwhile, more than $12,000 had been raised on the GoFundMe for B.
"I am absolutely horrified that this happened to her and in a park that so many of us frequent daily. B is an amazing caregiver to my 2 kids. They love and adore her," B's employer writes.
"She is always seen smiling and is one of the kindest people we know. She is loved by so many in the community as she has worked here for many years."
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