Influencer Halley McGookin Says She Still Feels Injury as She Testifies in NYC Assault Trial
- 6 days ago
- 4 min read
3 February 2026
Halley McGookin, the 25-year-old TikTok creator better known to her followers as Halley Kate, stood in a Manhattan courtroom on February 3, 2026, nearly two years after an alleged random assault on the streets of New York City to testify about how that moment changed her life physically, emotionally and professionally. McGookin’s account of being sucker-punched by a stranger in March 2024 went viral after she posted a video showing a large bump on her forehead and recounting what happened as she walked near Chelsea, prompting a wave of similar stories from other women on TikTok and widespread media attention. Her testimony in the New York Supreme Court as part of the trial against the man accused in the attack, Skiboky Stora, highlighted not just the lingering physical discomfort she continues to experience but also the surreal and often stressful experience of recounting the trauma in a public legal setting.
McGookin, who has more than 1.8 million followers across TikTok and Instagram, first brought attention to the incident when she posted a video on March 25, 2024, showing a swollen bump on her forehead after she said a stranger struck her while she was on her way to record a podcast. At the time the NYPD confirmed her injuries and announced that Skiboky Stora had been arrested two days after the assault and charged with several counts including assault and aggravated harassment. In the years since, McGookin’s video became one of several that sparked discussion about random street violence in New York, capturing the attention of a broad online audience and spotlighting the issue of public safety in the city.
At Tuesday’s hearing, McGookin took the stand to describe how the attack has affected her long after the physical wounds began to heal. According to court reports, she told the judge that even now she still feels tenderness and sensitivity in the area where she was hit, saying that she “couldn’t really touch anywhere near that spot” because of the lingering pain and tenderness. She also pointed out that she can still feel the trauma near her hairline, a stark reminder that the emotional and physical consequences of the unprovoked attack have not been erased by time.
The trial has drawn attention not only because of the assault itself but because of the unusual dynamics in the court. Skiboky Stora, now 42, has chosen to represent himself and has posed bizarre lines of questioning that the presiding judge repeatedly shut down as irrelevant. At one point, according to reports, the defendant attempted to grill McGookin about alleged TikTok trends involving fabricated assaults and even suggested there was an FBI investigation into her for unrelated reasons questions that were quickly blocked by the judge. Although she did not directly identify Stora as the attacker during her testimony, her account echoed the narrative she first shared online and underscored the impact the assault has had on her life.
In her social media posts following the court appearance, McGookin described the emotional weight of having to speak directly to the man she says assaulted her. She revealed that she initially felt anxious about testifying, struggling with the idea of confronting someone who had harmed her so unexpectedly and violently. She also noted that the defendant’s frequent bathroom breaks during her 90-minute testimony added to the surreal atmosphere of the courtroom experience. Sharing photos outside the Manhattan Supreme Court building, she told her followers that preparing for the testimony had been nerve-racking but important, explaining that she worked with a prosecutor ahead of time to understand the sorts of questions she might face.
The legal proceedings against Stora are part of a broader case in which he faces five charges, including assault and aggravated harassment. Prosecutors have framed the incident as one of several random attacks; Stora is also charged in related alleged attacks and has pleaded not guilty to all counts. McGookin’s testimony is expected to be a central component of the state’s case, with the trial slated to continue with further hearings scheduled in the days following her appearance.
Support from McGookin’s followers and other online voices was swift after her public recounting of the courtroom experience. Many praised her bravery in recounting the incident, particularly in a setting that can be intimidating even for those without a social media platform. Others commented on the broader issue of random attacks and personal safety, noting that McGookin’s viral video helped spur a national conversation about such incidents and their impact on victims. Her willingness to go to court and speak openly about her experience was framed by many as a continuation of that dialogue, a real-world extension of the online narrative she helped ignite nearly two years ago.
At its core, McGookin’s testimony underscores the long shadow that sudden violence can cast on a young influencer’s life. Beyond the immediate physical injuries that left a visible mark and tangible pain, the emotional and psychological impact of the attack has shaped her daily experience and, as the trial illustrates, her public identity. By stepping into a courtroom in New York and recounting what she endured, McGookin has not only sought justice in the legal system but given voice to a broader community of people whose stories of street harassment and assault have found resonance on social platforms.
As the trial moves forward and McGookin continues to update her followers about the process, her court appearance serves as a striking example of how personal trauma, social media fame and the pursuit of accountability intersect in today’s digital age. Her journey from viral video to witness stand reflects not just her own resilience, but the changing nature of how individual experiences of violence and recovery are shared, scrutinised and understood in the spotlight of public attention.
Comments