Tourist slashed in apparent random attack on Upper West Side: NYPD

NEW YORK CITY - A 55-year-old Danish tourist was slashed in the ear and cheek Wednesday morning on the Upper West Side, police said. 

Law enforcement sources tell FOX 5 NY's Linda Schmidt that the man was visiting the city. 

Police said it happened just before 10:30 a.m. on West 86th Street.

Surveillance video shows the tourist walking with two friends when suddenly a man in a gray t-shirt, dark-colored workout shorts and sneakers came running up behind him with a knife. 

Police said the suspect is still on the loose.

Witnesses said blood was everywhere.

"He slashed this man and almost cut off his ear completely and as he ran off down the street, he was just screaming obscenities," a witness said. 

The man was taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries, police said.

It is unclear what led up to the incident.

The attack comes just days after another violent incident in the city, where a homeless man with mental health issues allegedly went on a stabbing spree, killing three people. 

Residents told FOX 5 that the recent string of violence has left them on edge.

"Everyone's already on edge because of what happened the other day, and it's scary because you just don't know when it could happen," said one resident.

"They need to really, really, crack down on the crime in the city," said another. 

The NYPD is still searching for the suspect, who was last seen wearing a gray T-shirt, dark workout shorts, and sneakers.