Man Convicted After Violent Hate Crime Attacks on TikTok Influencer and Jewish Couple in New York

25 February 2026

Skiboky Stora in court on Feb. 25, 2026 where he was convicted on hate crime charges. Steven Hirsch for NY Post

A disturbing series of street attacks that once circulated widely online has now reached a legal turning point, as a New York man has been convicted on multiple hate crime charges tied to random acts of violence across Manhattan. The case, which includes the assault of a TikTok influencer and the harassment of a Jewish couple, has drawn attention not only for its brutality but for what it reveals about targeted hate in public spaces.

Skiboky Stora, a 42 year old Brooklyn resident, was found guilty following a bench trial in Manhattan. Prosecutors presented evidence that he carried out a pattern of assaults, stalking and harassment between 2023 and 2024, deliberately targeting victims based on their race, gender and religion.

One of the most widely known incidents involved TikTok influencer Halley McGookin, who was attacked without warning while walking through Manhattan. She testified that she was on her way to record a podcast when she was suddenly punched in the face by a stranger. The shock of the moment left her disoriented to the point that she instinctively apologized to her attacker, a reaction that highlighted the confusion and fear of the encounter.

The assault gained widespread attention after McGookin shared her experience online, prompting others to come forward with similar stories. What initially appeared to be an isolated act soon became part of a broader pattern that investigators would later connect to Stora.

Beyond that incident, prosecutors detailed several other attacks. In one case, Stora was accused of harassing a Jewish couple after they noticed him tearing down posters related to Israeli hostages. The confrontation escalated into verbal abuse, with threats and antisemitic language captured on video.

Authorities argued that these incidents were not random in the traditional sense but were instead driven by deliberate bias. According to prosecutors, Stora selected his victims specifically because of who they were, targeting women, white individuals and Jewish people in what was described as a pattern of hate motivated behavior.

During the trial, Stora represented himself and denied all allegations of racism or intentional harm. He claimed he had not discriminated against anyone and insisted that he was not responsible for the attacks, despite video evidence presented in court. His defense was described as inconsistent, with arguments that often conflicted with the footage and witness testimony shown during proceedings.

The court ultimately rejected his claims, delivering a guilty verdict after reviewing weeks of testimony and evidence. He was convicted of assault, stalking and aggravated harassment as hate crimes, charges that reflect both the physical and psychological impact of his actions.

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg emphasized the seriousness of the case, stating that the victims were targeted simply for who they are. He noted that hate crimes strike at the core of a community’s sense of safety, turning ordinary moments into sources of fear.

Following the conviction, Stora was taken into custody and now faces the possibility of significant prison time, with sentencing scheduled for April. Depending on how the court structures the penalties, he could face several years behind bars.

For many, the case is not just about one individual but about a broader issue of safety in everyday environments. The attacks occurred in public spaces, during routine activities like walking down the street, underscoring how quickly normal life can be disrupted by acts of violence.

The involvement of a social media figure added another layer to the story, turning a local incident into a widely shared moment that resonated far beyond New York. It also highlighted how platforms like TikTok can serve as both a space for storytelling and a catalyst for uncovering patterns that might otherwise go unnoticed.

At its core, the case serves as a reminder of the real world consequences of hate driven actions. While online attention may bring visibility, it is the legal system that ultimately determines accountability.

As the sentencing approaches, the outcome will mark the final chapter in a case that began with a single, shocking moment and grew into a larger reflection on violence, bias and justice in modern society.