'He's ruined the rest of my life': 88-year-old woman punched in face at H-E-B

HOUSTON – A man was seen punching a woman in the face outside a Houston grocery store in March.

Now, police are asking for the public's help identifying that man.

On March 8, Houston police said 88-year-old Mary Rutkowsky was walking out of the H-E-B at 5225 Buffalo Speedway when the man punched her.

The incident was caught on surveillance camera video.

In the video, the man is seen lurking near some plants before the assault.

When Rutkowsky walks by him, he punches her in the face, causing her to fall to the ground.

The man then walks in a circle, grabs his wheelchair and walks away.

Rutkowsky said the assault has caused her a lot of grief and pain.

"When they loaded me into the ambulance ... I didn't remember anything until the next day," she said. "He's ruined the rest of my life."

WATCH: Man caught on camera punching woman at H-E-B

When Rutkowsky was asked if she had anything to say to the man, she admitted that her language wouldn't be very nice.

"I wouldn't say very much that would be broadcast. That's where my ladyness goes away," she said.

Rutkowsky said she's taking it one day at a time in an attempt to heal from the attack.

"Take one day at a time," she said. "I have done a lot, but I was planning on doing a lot more."

She said the punch left her with ringing in her head that lasted for weeks.

"I would say a good four or five weeks afterward, I was getting over all the ringing and everything in my head. That's about the only thing that I can say," Rutkowsky said.

Anyone with information about the man's identity is asked to call the Houston Police Department's Major Assaults unit at 713-308-8800 or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS (8477).


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